Indians Fielding Offers For DeRosa

[love_that_reefer]

Indians third baseman Mark DeRosa is one of the first veterans to hit the trade block.

Cleveland is now fielding offers for the versatile DeRosa, league sources say.

The Indians are looking mainly for pitchers who can help them now. Although they are off to their second straight horrible start, the Indians are apparently not close to giving up hope in a tight AL Central. Pitching has been their main problem in their 14-26 start (8 1/2 games back from the division-leading Tigers).

The Mets are one possibility for DeRosa, since the versatile 34-year-old could play first base, but it's believed Nick Johnson tops their wish list, with Aubrey Huff or possibly Russell Branyan likely ahead of DeRosa. The Mets would have greater interest in Indians star Victor Martinez, but there's no indication Cleveland would consider trading him.

DeRosa is a skillful utilityman who can also play second base and both corner outfield spots. He plays many of the same positions as Casey Blake, who was traded from Cleveland last summer to the Dodgers in a deal that helped both teams (the Indians received stud catching prospect Carlos Santana).

DeRosa is a free agent after the year and makes $5.5 million.

Mets don't have the pitching the Indians want so you can scratch them off the list. DeRosa could help just about anyone and especially the team that traded him away, the Cubs. DeRosa is hitting .242/.312/.412 in 153 at-bats but his versatility is what makes him so valuable. Brewers could look at him now that Weeks is done for the year. Indians and Brewers are already familiar with each others farm system after the Sabathia trade. DeRosa could be game by mid-June.

[realmofotalk]

With a .242/.312/.412 stat line, he should be batting cleanup for the Giants.

[love_that_reefer]

Molina has better numbers.

[cjkalt]

No indication they would trade VMart? Someone didn't read this article by Rosenthal:

MLB - Tribe not trying to move Martinez, but would they? - FOX Sports on MSN

[ljshorty89]

First off, the Mets have pitching. Not superb pitching, but some. The Indians will not be asking for THAT much for DeRosa. They won't give him away, but a pair of solid prospects could possibly do it. I don't personally want DeRosa, but don't rule the Mets out.

[cjkalt]

With a .242/.312/.412 stat line, he should be batting cleanup for the Giants.

Molina and SANDOVAL are better than him. Sandoval would get so much love if the Giants ever had runners for him to drive in.

[love_that_reefer]

Sandoval would get a lot of love if he hit homeruns like he is capable of.

[love_that_reefer]

According to Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse, the Mets are exploring a trade for Indians' utilityman Mark DeRosa.
The Mets are dealing with injuries all around the infield and DeRosa could provide help at almost any position. He's batting .255/.322/.427 this season with six home runs and 26 RBI in 157 at-bats, and is owed about $4.15 million for the remainder of 2009.

The Mets like his versatility over guys like Huff and Nick Johnson apparently. DeRosa can help just about everywhere on the diamond which the Mets could use.