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Winter Meetings Indians Rumors: Recapping Day One

By Lewie Pollis

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We’re only one day into the 2012 baseball Winter Meetings, but the Cleveland Indians have already made plenty of waves. Here’s a look at the rumors and rumblings we heard on Monday.

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Shane Victorino. The biggest story for the Tribe so far is the team’s alleged “serious interest” in signing Victorino. The 32-year-old free agent outfielder is reportedly seeking a deal in the neighborhood of three years and $30 million. The Indians are far from his only suitor, though—he has already received multiple contract offers of three years or more.

  • Selling high. On Sunday night, just before the meetings started, Buster Olney reported that Cleveland has “set the bar very high” on the asking price for Shin-Soo Choo and Asdrubal Cabrera, and that the team is specifically looking for young pitching. That Choo and Cabrera are possible trade chips is not news, but it’s interesting that Chris Antonetti isn’t actively looking to deal them.
  • No-trade complications. Speaking of Cabrera, WEEI‘s Alex Speier reported that he has a limited no-trade clause in his contract that allows him to block deals to the Red Sox, Yankees, Tigers, Giants, Nationals, and Mets. Speier added that Cabrera seems willing to waive his no-trade clause, but it will interesting to see whether he does if given the opportunity.
  • Who’s on first? Another report from Olney: the Indians were “seriously interested” in first baseman James Loney before he signed with the Rays. Antonetti also told the Plain Dealer‘s Paul Hoynes that he is looking for an option at first, though he still considers Matt LaPorta and Russ Canzler to be potential candidates for the starting job.
  • Another option. ESPN’s Adam Rubin wrote that the Indians are one of four or five teams with a “real interest” in outfielder Scott Hairston. Perhaps they’ll turn to him if they can’t land Victorino.
  • Familiar faces. MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez reported that the Tribe is interested in re-signing Fausto Carmona Roberto Hernandez…as are at least four other teams. Meanwhile, Antonetti told Hoynes that he wouldn’t rule out bringing back Grady Sizemore, who it was just revealed had microfracture surgery on his right knee in September and will miss the beginning of the season.
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