Indians Confidential

As the Indians bats lay stagnate, stale, dormant and lifeless and the bullpen appears to have questions of it’s own, rumors are flying about a possible blockbuster trade between the Tribe and the Colorado Rockies. Could these three players be on the Indians’ radar? According to Mlbtraderumors.com those players are Third Baseman Garrett Atkins, Outfielder Matt Holliday and Relief Pitcher Brian Fuentes.

In Ken Rosenthal’s latest column, he sees Matt Holliday of the Colorado Rockies as a prime candidate to be traded this summer. Rosenthal notes that the Rockies are already ten games back and have very little chance of signing Holliday to an extension. Holliday is signed through ‘09 with $13MM due next season.

Previously, Rosenthal speculated that the Rockies might be willing to go to six years and $96MM to keep last year’s NL MVP runner-up. However, all we know of Holliday’s demands are that he wants more than a four-year deal. Rosenthal sees the Indians, Cardinals, Yankees, A’s, Tigers, Blue Jays, Mariners, and Mets as potential suitors. This should provide an interesting new storyline for July.

Rosenthal thinks that the Rockies could also seek to move Brian Fuentes and Garrett Atkins. Fuentes is eligible for free agency after this season and Atkins will be in his second year of arbitration eligibility and is not eligible for free agency until after next season.

Rosenthal also suggests that the Rockies may be willing to accept low-level, high-ceiling prospects in return as they are deep in prospects at Double and Triple A.

What would the Indians have to give up to attain these players? The Indians have the prospects to entertain these talks with the Rockies. I’m hearing that the Rockies want Laffey, Francisco, and possibly another pitching prospect. Are they worth giving up to answer the woes of 2008? The trade would do the following. Third Baseman Garrett Atkins would solidify the third base position. A position which has been in need of an upgrade for several years now. Andy Marte just doesn’t seem to be the answer and this would allow Casey Blake to move to the outfield on a permanent basis. Outfielder Matt Holliday, the former National League M.V.P. provides another solid bat in a line up which is in dire need of hitting. Relief Pitcher Brian Fuentes may also sure up the end of the bullpen. Fuentes has closing and set-up experience and with the current state of the bullpen, the Indians could always use more arms and morem help.

Interesting dinner conversation tonight in the Indians press dining room, as I had the pleasure of catching up with media pals Greg Brinda of WKNR and the always entertaining Bruce Drennen of “All Bets are Off” on SportsTime Ohio.  The topic turned to the Indians offense (or lack of), and the latest rumor mill that Bruce said was a topic on his show today, which was the rumor of the Indians having interest in Rockies 3B Garrett Atkins.

If you haven’t heard about it, Buster Olney of ESPN threw out the following on the possibility of the Indians taking a look at Atkins: If Colorado eventually turns the page on 2008, the Indians and the Rockies could match up well in a deal built around Garrett Atkins. The Rockies have a third baseman waiting in the wings, in Ian Stewart — although he is not faring well so far — and the Indians, as they look for ways to improve their offense, are flexible at first and third base.

Now if you don’t know much about Atkins, he’s a solid hitter (.335 with 7 homers and 26 RBI), and according to Drennen he’s more than serviceable at third.  The Indians need a stick, no doubt, and third base is a question mark for the future with Andy Marte not doing much of anything, and Casey Blake is playing well, but he’s not your 3B of the future.

Atkins is not going to come cheap, and two names that Bruce brought up in a possible deal would be pitcher Aaron Laffey and 2B Josh Barfield, who is playing OK in Buffalo.  Atkins last season had 25 homers, 111 RBI and hit .301.  Follow this one closely, and while the trade deadline is a long way off, there is no doubt that this is an interesting rumor that could gain more steam before it’s all said and done.