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Tribe Offers Westbrook For Kearns

Jan 28, 2006 2:20 PM EST

The Cleveland Indians, attempting to fill an outfield hole, have expressed interest in Cincinnati Reds outfielder Austin Kearns, dangling pitcher Jake Westbrook as the bait.

Reds interim general manager Brad Kullman said several clubs continue to ask about Kearns, including the Tribe.

While he wouldn't say, "No deal," he did say, "If we thought Jake Westbrook was the one piece that would give us a championship, we'd do it."

Westbrook was 15-15 in 32 starts with a 4.49 earned-run average last season.

"What we have to be careful about is that we gave up a lot of offense when we traded Sean Casey and Joe Randa and we don't want to cut ourselves short on offense," he said. "A lot of our people see a big upside in Kearns. Right field is his to lose.

"He has been hurt a lot, but back in 2002 everybody was saying he was our best clutch hitter, including Ken Griffey Jr. He stands to get 550 at-bats this year."

Via Dayton Daily News

Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians

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Crisp Finally Joins The Nation

Jan 28, 2006 1:48 AM EST

Coco Crisp is bound for Boston after being traded Friday by the Cleveland Indians to the Red Sox, finally giving them a replacement for Johnny Damon in center field and at the leadoff spot in the batting order.

Crisp's departure has been rumored for more than a week, but the deal was first held up by medical questions Cleveland had about reliever Guillermo Mota, and then was delayed by a trade between the Indians and Philadelphia Phillies.

When it all shook out, eight players -- and maybe a ninth -- were moved by three teams and the Red Sox gave the Indians at least $1 million. Commissioner Bud Selig had to approve the deal before it could be announced.

Along with Crisp, Cleveland sent reliever David Riske and backup catcher Josh Bard to Boston for Mota, third base prospect Andy Marte, catcher Kelly Shoppach, a player to be named and cash.

Before that deal was finalized, the Indians sent reliever Arthur Rhodes to Philadelphia for outfielder Jason Michaels, the probable replacement for Crisp as Cleveland's starting left fielder.

Via ESPN

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Indians Acquire Michaels From Phillies

Jan 27, 2006 5:53 PM EST

The Philadelphia Phillies and Cleveland Indians reached agreement Friday on a Jason Michaels-for-Arthur Rhodes trade, a deal that could trigger a bigger swap involving the Boston Red Sox.

Rhodes was in Philadelphia taking a physical, two people familiar with the deal told The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been finalized.

If the trade is completed, the Indians could turn around and send center fielder Coco Crisp to the Red Sox to fill the gap left when free agent Johnny Damon left for the New York Yankees.

Boston had been trying to send third base prospect Andy Marte and reliever Guillermo Mota to Cleveland.

Trades involving the three teams had a hitch earlier this week when the Indians got an unfavorable medical report on Mota. The righty reliever spent about a month on the disabled list with Florida last season because of elbow inflammation.

Via Associated Press

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Indians Jan 2006 Archive

  • Odds Of Crisp Ending Up In Boston Decreasing Sharply

    ESPN | Jan 26, 2006

    The Red Sox and Indians continued to talk trade, as well as to a potential third club, the Reds, on Thursday. There were indications that the Indians were beginning to have doubts on dealing Crisp.

  • Indians And Broussard Avoid Arbitration

    Ticker | Jan 26, 2006

    The Cleveland Indians avoided arbitration with first baseman Ben Broussard on Wednesday, signing the first baseman to a one-year contract.

  • Red Sox And Indians Explore Alternatives On Crisp Deal

    ESPN | Jan 25, 2006

    The Red Sox and Indians are trying to restructure the Coco Crisp-to-Boston deal Wednesday, while Cleveland's deal with Philadelphia (Jason Michaels for Arthur Rhodes) was described as being "in a holding pattern," according to a source involved in those discussions.

  • Crisp Deal In Peril After Mota Fails Physical

    ESPN | Jan 25, 2006

    The deal that would send Coco Crisp to the Boston Red Sox for pitcher Guillermo Mota and third base prospect Andy Marte was endangered when the right-handed reliever failed a physical in Cleveland.

  • Boston Still After Crisp

    Boston Globe | Jan 20, 2006

    Top prospect Andy Marte would most likely have to be dealt to acquire Coco Crisp. Another rumor as Steve Finley coming over in a deal for David Wells.

  • Indians Ink Eduardo Perez To Deal

    Yahoo! | Jan 12, 2006

    The Cleveland Indians added a valuable veteran hitter Thursday, signing utility man Eduardo Perez to a one-year contract.