MLB Rumors: Indians interested in Juan Uribe

With spring training set to begin in less than two months, the Cleveland Indians seem to be looking for a replacement for utility man Mike Aviles, who signed with Detroit in mid-December. According to cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes, that replacement could be Juan Uribe. Hoynes said that the Indians are in conversation with Uribe’s agents; they are believed to be discussing a one-year deal. According to MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian, the Indians are interested in Uribe, but his asking price is currently too high.

After missing an opportunity to acquire All-Star third baseman Todd Frazier from Cincinnati — who has since been traded to the Chicago White Sox — the Indians have been in search of not only a third baseman who can split time with Giovanny Urshela, but a right-handed stick that can play multiple positions as well. Uribe could fill both of those needs.

While with the Dodgers, Braves, and Mets last season, the 36-year-old hit .253 with 14 home runs, 43 RBIs, and 80 strikeouts in 360 at-bats (119 games). In his 15-year career, Uribe has hit .256 with 192 home runs, 791 RBIs, and 1,175 strikeouts in over 1,700 games.

Uribe is a right-handed hitter, but he hits comparably well against righties and lefties:

• vs. RHP: .258, 135 home runs, 565 RBIs, 846 strikeouts in 4,344 at-bats
• vs. LHP: .251, 57 home runs, 226 RBIs, 329 strikeouts in 1,576 at-bats

Uribe played for the Chicago White Sox for five seasons, so he is no stranger to the American League Central Division. During his five years with the ChiSox, the right-hander from the Dominican Republic hit .251 with 87 home runs, 324 RBIs, and 431 strikeouts in 672 games.

Uribe’s stats in the five AL Central stadiums:

• US Cellular Field (White Sox): .262, 59 home runs, 176 RBIs, 193 strikeouts in 1,125 at-bats
• Progressive Field (Indians): .180, four home runs, 17 RBIs, 31 strikeouts in 133 at-bats
• Comerica Park (Tigers): .290, nine home runs, 22 RBIs, 20 strikeouts in 138 at-bats
• Kauffman Stadium (Royals): .260, five home runs, 21 RBIs, 31 strikeouts in 127 at-bats
• Target Field (Twins): .346, no home runs, six RBIs, five strikeouts in 26 at-bats

The 6-foot, 245-pounder only played third base and second base last season. In his career, Uribe has played shortstop (104 errors in 917 games), third base (43 errors in 576 games), second base (nine errors in 228 games), first base (one error in four games), and center field (one game).