The Dodgers are said to be close to reaching a deal with the Cleveland Indians to acquire Cleveland third baseman Casey Blake for a pair of Minor Leaguers, Triple-A pitcher Jon Meloan and Class A catcher Carlos Santana. Blake, a free agent after this year, has a salary of $6.1 million, and the Indians would pay all or most of it, according to a Jayson Stark.
Blake became one of the most coveted outfielders after the Yankees traded for Xavier Nady. Other teams that were rumored to be in the mix to land Blake were the Mets, Rays and Phillies.
Casey Blake is batting .289 with 11 home runs and 58 RBIs. He has a career batting average of .265 and in five Major League seasons has never hit fewer than 17 homers or driven in fewer than 58 runs in a season, with career highs of 28 homers and 88 RBIs.
Meloan is a right-hander who pitched briefly for the Dodgers last year in a September call up. He is 5-10 with a 4.97 ERA at Triple-A Las Vegas. Santana is a slugging catching prospect who currently has 14 home runs, 96 RBIs and a .323 average at Inland Empire.
The Dodgers have had issues with third base all season. Nomar Garciaparra and Andy Laroche were injured in spring training. Blake Dewitt was called up from AA ball and played well but has cooled off at the plate. Nomar is currently playing shortstop for the injured Rafael Furcal(out for year, lower back surgery), and Laroche has had offensive struggles throughout his time in the bigs. Casey Blake solves the problem of what to do at third base as he is consistent at the hot corner and at the dish. This also offers the Dodgers more options as he can play at third, first, and in the outfield.
Update: The trade is complete and Casey Blake is expected to become the Dodgers everyday third basemen replacing slumping rookies Blake Dewitt and Andy Laroche.
Update: The trade is complete and Casey Blake is expected to become the Dodgers everyday third basemen replacing slumping rookies Blake Dewitt and Andy Laroche.
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