May 21, 2013

MLB Trade Rumors: Indians Among Teams Interested in Carlos Quentin

As they have for the last 14 months, the Cleveland Indians continue their search for an outfielder who can not only hit for power and do so from the right-handed side of the plate. The potential answer, per CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman, is San Diego Padres slugger Carlos Quentin.

Heyman reports that Quentin, potentially the best hitter who ends up getting dealt before the late-July trade deadline, is sought after by the Cleveland Indians as well as the Cincinnati Reds, Miami Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates. The Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays were thought to be in the mix for the 29-year old, but are now both said to be in the market for pitching. The Tigers had recently been linked to Chicago Cubs bat-misser Matt Garza.

To trade Quentin, San Diego would reportedly have to receive something better than the draft pick they’d get if he left as a free agent. The fact that there are multiple teams interested in the San Diego native could eventually lead to a bidding war, a scenario where the Indians are not exactly the most successful, having recently lost out on Kevin Youkilis (Chicago White Sox) and Carlos Lee (Miami Marlins). 

On the season, Quentin is hitting .268 with seven home runs and 17 RBI.

[Realted: The Case for Trading Chris Perez]

  • @wes_ryan_

    I’m surprised we are still in the running for this guy, he seems to be the biggest bat available this season. I would hope any prospect not named Lindor would be available. Though it seems he was over-valued by us, would Naquin have any pull as a tradeable aset, being that he is close (in terms of first year players) to being ready?
    I enjoy imagining world where we trot this guy out after Hafner, giving us Choo-Drubs-Kip-Pronk-Quinten-Brantley.. leaving zero pressure on Santana batting 7th, and Kotchman and Hanahan/Lopez to surprise us from time to time.
    Get it done. Please?

  • @wes_ryan_

    asset-

  • technivore

    I don’t believe a newly drafted player can be traded for 12 months after he signs his initial contract, so Naquin and the other 2012 draftees can’t be included in a trade. Frankly the Indians’ cupboard is pretty bare other than Lindor so I’d be really surprised if this went down. I’d be thrilled if Antonetti found a way to get him though, Quentin is absolutely the perfect fit for this team.

  • Harv 21

    doubt they’d give up their highest quality prospects – like Chiz, or Lindor – for less than a half-season of Quentin, who’s a FA in 2013. Not with the infield holes each are being groomed to fill and our dearth of other position player prospects.

    I’d rather trade Perez, move Pestano to closer and pray someone else can do set-up. At least we could then enjoy some quiet around here. I’m not entirely joking.

  • @wes_ryan_

    Moving Perez has to be an option, we took a huge risk last season getting Ubaldo and it’s starting to pay off. I think dumping Perez is less of a risk given Pestano’s effectiveness. He doesn’t like playing here and almost any team would love to have him. He and a B prospect would hopefully get it done. Maybe the Pad’s trade Street to the Yanks or Mets for prospects and fill the closer hole with Perez, only to move him next season. Just spitballing..

  • @wes_ryan_

    Not completely unrelated, but imagine the post-trade comments from Perez about the city and organization..

  • Collin

    If they decided to trade Naquin, they’d be able to do what they did last year with Pomeranz and list him as a “Player To Be Named Later”, then make the trade official after the 12 month mark.

  • The_Real_Shamrock

    Pretty sure the Padres would want more then just Perez given the fact they already have a closer in Street. The Indians just don’t have much to trade that they can afford to give up for a player who will be a FA at the end of the season.

  • mgbode

    and they also traded their 2nd best bullpen arm earlier this year in Frieri showing they don’t value them all that highly (he was their Pestano)

  • cmm13

    so to bolster the OF you’d deplete an already depleted bullpen?

  • @wes_ryan_

    We could survive with Rogers and Smith in the 8th, Sipp has looked better as well. For the stretch run, even Gomez can come up and provide some middle relief. In this scenario it’s pick your poison, a LF platoon of Damon and Duncan or an 8th inning of Rogers and Smith.

  • Dee P

    That headache alone is reason enough to keep him. I’m not sure I could stomach that one.

  • Dee P

    LaPorta? Donald? Kluber?

  • TSR3000

    We aren’t in the running. Once again, we are just leverage.

  • playing left out

    Tomlin needs to pitch like last year and we’ll be fine. Lowe however will continue to be a disaster. age is catching up to him

  • saggy

    i am a big fan of moving perez while he has major value. pestano is nice and he will slide into the 9th fine. I think the Mets would have an interest as would the Brewers. Cincy could also come calling if they’re planning on moving Aroldis to the rotation next season.

    basically, when an all-star pitcher is dangled on the market, everyone who is a contender will be taking a look.

  • Steve

    But how many contenders are going to give you a good major league talent back? They’re trying to compete too.