The Indians are one of nine teams to have expressed interest in signing Casey Blake, tweets Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Cleveland likes Blake as a super-utility type, who could back up at the corner infield and corner outfield positions.
The Dodgers turned down their $6MM option on Blake at season's end, electing instead to pay him a $1.25MM buyout and make him a free agent. The decision was unsurprising after injuries limited Blake's playing time and production in 2011. The 38-year-old hit .252/.342/.371 in 239 plate appearances. Agent Jim McDowell told MLBTR that his client expects to be 100% for 2012.
If the Indians were to sign Blake, it would be his second stint in Cleveland. The first ended in July 2008, after five and a half years, when the Tribe shipped him to Los Angeles in the trade that landed them catching prospect Carlos Santana.
I’m sure the Marlins and Yanks are all on him
How much do you think the Dodgers would like to have Carlos Santana back? Thats the type of player they need to go along with Kemp, Gordon, and Kershaw.
Blake for Santana. And people wonder why Colletti is terrible.
Congratulations! You’re the 1,000,000th person to say that! I am sure McCourt picking up zero salary had nothing to do with it.
God I have to defend McCourt against 15 year olds
I’d rather have Santana then Blake with cash.
Yeah pretty sure in 2008 the club needed a third baseman..
And there weren’t any other options?
Can you name any?
Not off the top of my head. I’m just saying that Carlos Santana was an overpay for Blake. I don’t care if they added a couple million dollars. If I offer the Rockies Jhonny Peralta and $4MM do I get Arenado?
Congratulations! You’re the 1,000,000th person to say that!
Let’s not forget my all time favorite: Trayvon Robinson for Tim Fredowlisigsklngsdlkjngdsl or however you pronounce it. I’m not sure what gave Ned the itch to trade away Robinson just to help facilitate the Erik Bedard trade.
Having zero catching prospects?
Not that FedEx is good or anything..
I’m confused, are you OK with the fact that Ned traded Robinson for a not-so-good catching prospect?
No not at all.
I’d take Blake over Santana, thanks.
Yeah, perhaps if Blake was in his prime this would make sense. Actually, it doesn’t make sense at ALL!!!
Did he even have a prime?
Are you serious? Or are you Blake?
Naw, I’m not Blake I just think he has more tools. Blake will go back to the Indians and they will win the AL Central next year.
Wouldn’t mind having Blake come back, don’t think he has a spot on the roster tho
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Atlanta in on Blake, both corner spots in IF and OF. definitely him or DeRosa would be a nice addition to the Braves bench. still need a SS too, both starter and a bench type possibly
i’m not so sure about that actually. The Braves have the corner positions pretty much covered. What we really need is a super-utility that can handle the middle positions.
True, but one of the two would be a solid RH bat for the bench that we could use. I wouldn’t mind seeing Jack Wilson back in that role, albeit he couldn’t hit much and Jamey Carroll would have been an ideal fit in that role. If Atlanta can get DeRosa for a Minor League Deal as been speculated I would jump on that in a heartbeat. Either would be an upgrade over Conrad, who strikes out way too much when he pinch hits.
Really NINE teams? For a 38 year old corner utility guy who might hit .250 and will get injured? Nine?
every team loves cheap, veteran bench help
I saw this and thought it said “Cleveland Pain Dealer” Re-read it and saw it was “Plain Dealer” (Plain Dealer? what?) Then I realized “Yeah, the Indians don’t deal pain, that name wouldn’t work out to well”
fail
Oh geez, I hope he doesn’t go back there. At least the Dodgers fans really embraced him – I’d love to see Blake go to a team (like the Dodgers) who really appreciate him and what he brings.
I can’t speak for all tribe fans, but during his time in Cleveland, he was very well liked. At least that is the impression I had. I know I really liked him during his time in Cleveland.
I wouldn’t mind seeing him in a Rays uniform if they dont resign Kotchman
Don’t the Indians seem to have some kind of Groundhog Day thing going on here? Moves they make today seem eerily similar to the moves they made yesterday and will make tomorrow. I wish they’d shake things up a little, think a little differently. Their fan base continues to dwindle and I don’t think adding Derek Lowe and bringing back Casey Blake is going to take them to the promised land.
Of the Tribe’s First Disobedience, and the Fruit
Of that Forbidden Tree, whose mortal tast
Brought Death into the World, and all our woe,
With loss of Sabathia, till one greater Man
Restore us, and regain the blissful Seat….
So, you’re saying the Jiminez trade didn’t “shake things up?” Not saying he would “inspire That Shepherd, who first taught the chosen Seed”…or Indians fans for that matter, but the trade certainly shook up the fan base.
I disagree…As you can see, someone already brought up The Jimenez trade. I think everybody knew the Indians werent going to be big “players” this offseason. Its obvious they are counting on Santana, Choo, Cabrera, Jimenez, Masterson, Kipnis. And thats not too shabby…All teams have to have those filler players like Derek Lowe and Blake to have a team.
Booooo. Don’t like this move