According to Sheldon Ocker of the Akron Beacon Journal, Mark Shapiro and the Indians are likely to make a move to acquire a reliever sometime this summer. Patience with guys like Roberto Hernandez (5.87 ERA) and Fernando Cabrera (5.40 ERA) is wearing thin.
Ocker says the Indians are interested in Rangers closer Eric Gagne. Gagne has been dominant in his 15 innings, allowing just a single run. His control has been a little off, but it’s a small sample yet. Gagne has been handled carefully, spending some time on the DL and only pitching back-to-back days twice. If the Rangers can keep him healthy for another month or so, some team is going to ignore the health risk and give them a decent player for him. Gagne does have "no-trade protection," whatever that means.
Other candidates named for the Tribe include David Riske, Tom Martin, Shawn Chacon, Jason Isringhausen, Al Reyes, and Akinori Otsuka. The latter three are the potential difference-makers. Ocker says Adam Miller isn’t going anywhere, but few other prospects will be deemed untouchable. I still doubt any team could pry Jeremy Sowers loose for a reliever. I’m no prospect guru, but I imagine guys like Brian Barton and Chuck Lofgren (both at Double A) could be attractive trading chips. Outfielders Franklin Gutierrez and Shin-Soo Choo could be available also.
