Winter Meetings Indians Rumors: Recapping Day Two

The Winter Meetings are still underway in Dallas, and after an exciting first day of Indians rumors Monday, we got an even more interesting group of Cleveland-related whisperings Tuesday.

Here’s a list of all the Indians-related news that happened and rumors we heard Tuesday.

Big trade in the works? Antonetti told reporters Tuesday that he was working on a deal that will surprise Tribe fans if it ends up happening. “I’m pretty sure I could give you 50 guesses,” Antonetti said, “and you probably wouldn’t get it.”

Pure speculation on my part, but might the mystery trade be for Giants rookie Brandon Belt? San Francisco reportedly has a deal in the works too, and Belt isn’t guaranteed a place in the Giants’ lineup next year; he’d presumably be the favorite to win the first base job in Cleveland in 2012 and beyond.

Michael Brantley, first baseman? If the Indians can’t find a satisfactory first baseman by next spring, MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian says they might make one of Brantley. Bastian notes that Brantley spent some time at first in the minors, and Antonetti praised his glove there. I love the creativity, but unless Brantley were moving for an impact outfielder, I’m concerned that he might not be a good enough hitter to be an everyday first baseman.

More possible targets. We’ve already heard the Indians connected to several free agents (Derrek Lee, Josh Willingham) and trade targets (Yonder Alonso), but a few more were added to the list Tuesday. FoxSports.com’s Jon Paul Morosi puts Andruw Jones and Mike Cameron on the list of players Cleveland is “looking at,” while Bastian throws out Kyle Blanks as a possible trade target. Meanwhile, CBSSports.com’s Danny Knobler reports that the Houston Astros approached the the Tribe about a trade for Carlos Lee, but the Indians weren’t interested.

Gaby Sanchez could be dealt. We assumed it before, but now we have confirmation: the Miami Marlins will trade Sanchez if they sign Albert Pujols. In that case, however, the Indians wouldn’t be the only interested team.

We’ve got competition. The Minnesota Twins have offered Michael Cuddyer (in whom the Indians have interested) a three-year deal, according to the MLB Network’s Jon Heyman. As for other potential Tribe targets, MLB.com’s Bill Ladson reports that the Nationals have talked to Mark DeRosa, while MLBTradeRumors.com’s Tim Dierkes suggests Casey Blake and Kevin Kouzmanoff as fits in Kansas City.

Hector Rondon DFAed. Cleveland made an actual transaction Tuesday, designating Rondon, 23, for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Grady Sizemore. Injuries have derailed Rondon’s career—the right-hander has made just nine appearances in the last two years and injured his elbow again last month.

Former Indians find homes. ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reports that J.D. Martin, the Tribe’sfirst-round pick in the 2011 amateur draft, has signed a minor-league deal with the Marlins. Meanwhile, the Dodgers are reportedly nearing a deal with longtime Indian Josh Bard.

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