MLB Trade Rumors: Who the Cleveland Indians Are Targeting Before the Deadline

After trading for Cubs' outfielder Kosuke Fukudome yesterday, the Indians appear to have just begun their work before the MLB Trade Deadline hits Sunday at 4 p.m. ET.

Yesterday, at a charity golf tournament Indians president and CEO Paul Dolan told the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

"Hopefully [this is] our first of a couple deals. We're trying to add to the team this year with the hope of competing in September and into October."

If the Indians do indeed make a deal or "deals" before the deadline it will most likely be one or more of the following players on this list. Either way Cleveland fans sit back and enjoy the ride because it's July and the Tribe is in the hunt!

Special thanks to Jason B. Cooper for his much appreciated contribution to this story.

SP Jeremy Guthrie

Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun is reporting that both the Tigers and Indians have been in talks with the Orioles regarding their Ace and former Indian, Jeremy Guthrie.

Guthrie, 32, is 4-14 on the year with a 4.33 ERA. The former 2002 first round pick of the Indians will become a free-agent after this year and only has about $2MM remaining on his contract.

Guthrie had a solid 2010 campaign where he went 11-14 with a 3.83 in a very tough AL East Division.

Infielder Jamey Carroll

Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting that Cleveland have had “serious” talks with the Dodgers about bringing back former Indian Jamey Carroll.  

Carroll, 37, is batting .299 in 344 at bats in 2011 and can play 3B, SS, and 2B for the Indians. He spent 2008 and 2009 in Cleveland as a utility man for the Tribe.

SP Hiroki Kuroda

Multiple outlets have reported the Indians’ interest in Dodger starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda. The Osaka, Japan native has made 21 starts for LA this year going 6-13 with a 3.11 ERA in 2011.

Kuroda, 36, could be controlled through 2013 but has a no-trade clause in his contract which may prohibit this deal from going forward.

The Yankees, Red Sox and Tigers have all appeared to be interested.

CF Melky Cabrera

Even though recent reports have indicated that the Royals are leaning towards keeping outfielder Melky Cabrera, one would have to assume that they would part with him at the right price.

Cabrera, 26, is having a career year batting .297 with 12 HRs, 57 RBIs and 14 stolen bases in 2011. The remaining salary left on his contract is minimal but he will become a free agent in 2012.

RF Ryan Ludwick

According to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the Indians have continued to make a strong push for former Indian Ryan Ludwick.  Ludwick, 33, started his career in Texas before spending parts of 3 seasons with the Tribe from 2003-2005.  The free-agent to be is making $6.775MM this season, while putting up solid power numbers (11 HR, 62 RBI) in cavernous Petco Park.

Ludwick’s best seasons were in St. Louis where he formed a lethal combination with Albert Pujols.  In 2008, Luwick put together a monster season, bashing 37 HR to go along with 113 RBI and a .299 AVG.  Ludwick is perhaps the best remaining right-handed power option on the market.

LF Josh Willingham

Even though ESPN.com’s Buster Olney reports that the A’s have been “underwhelmed” in attractive trade offers, Josh Willingham’s name continues to surface as a viable option for many teams making a playoff push.  That includes the Cleveland Indians. 

The 32 year-old right-hander leads a suddenly explosive Oakland offense with 13 HR and 51 RBI.  Making $6 million in the final year of his contract, Willingham likely will not finish his first season in Oakland.

Willingham, formerly with the Florida Marlins and Washington Nationals, has hit over 20 HR three times in his career, and never finished a full season with less than 15 HR.  Batting clean-up in a pitcher-friendly ballpark, Willingham carries a .244 AVG into tonight’s game against visiting Minnesota.

SP Ubaldo Jimenez

According to numerous published reports, the Red Sox are making the most aggressive push towards Colorado right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez, while the Indians are “a big threat” for his services. 

The 27 year-old is the most coveted pitcher on the market right now, in large part because of his relatively small contract to go with his enormous talent.  Jimenez (6-9, 4.20 ERA), is making $2.8 million this season, and is set to make $4.2 million next year along with $5.75 million in 2013.

Pitching in hitter friendly Coors Field, Jimenez has not had an ERA over 3.99 in the past 3 season, and boasts nearly a strikeout per inning (116 k’s in 122 IP).  There is some concern about his velocity, as MLB Network has reported that his velocity is down about 2 mph this season.

Colorado is likely intrigued by young pitching prospects Alex White and Drew Pomerantz.