Indians Send Jayson Nix to Blue Jays

With an abundance of infielders, the release or trade of Jayson Nix, who had fallen on the 2nd and 3rd base depth charts, seemed a mere eventuality. On Tuesday it finally happened as he was traded to the Blue Jays for cash considerations. The move primarily served to free up a valuable 40-man spot and ensures the Indians get at least a minimal return instead of potentially seeing him swooped up on a waiver claim.

During his time with the Indians Nix hit just .234 with a .705 OPS - which actually represented one of his better offensive performances. A historically strong defensive second baseman with a career +11.4 UZR/150 who could get away with subpar offense there, Nix was shifted to third due to the abundance of second basemen in the Indians system and struggled with the spot defensively, essentially eliminating any value he had to the organization.

When it was announced that Jack Hannahan would be the clubs opening day third baseman, his chances, already slim, took another hit. The it was announced that Adam Everett had won the job as the teams backup infielder and it was all over.

Jack Hannahan, Indians Likely Opening Day Third Baseman

Heading into this off season, the question about who would man third base on a long-term basis for the Cleveland Indians wasn't much of a question - Lonnie Chisenhall is the future. But in the interim, the team was looking at a group of players that weren't ideally suited for the job. Mostly converted middle infielders who needed a place to play. Last years opening day second baseman Luis Valbuena wass in the mix, as was former second baseman Jayson Nix, who ended 2010 as the teams third baseman.

Indians Sign Orlando Cabrera

*Update* Contract is for 1.0m.

*Update* It's a MLB contact (still no word on the terms) which means the Indians will need to drop someone from the 40-man roster. My guess as to who will be dropped remains unaffected. 

No details yet but the Indians have acquired shortstop Orlando Cabrera. The Indians are actually pretty well set in the middle with Asdrubal Cabrera at short and a bevy of options including Luis Valbuena, or Jason Donald who are already on the MLB roster, and Jason Kipnis, or Cord Phelps in the minors.

Up and Coming Third Basemen: Part 4

Yesterday we got the ball rolling on our latest series here at AL Central In Focus, a look into Jonathan Mayo's list of the Top 10 third base prospects for 2011. We've already profiled the Tigers Nick Castellanos (#10), the Twins Miguel Sano (#5), and the White Sox Brent Morel (#3).

The first two players were 18 and 17 years old respectively last year, and despite having raw talent in spades, are a long ways from the Majors. The third player on the list, Morel, has the makings of a solid everyday player who will provide high end, and maybe even elite level defense.

The last two players on this list however are cats of a rarer breed. They possess multiple refined skills without clear weaknesses and have demonstrated the ability to succeed in the high minors. They are both very projectable and highly talented and could challenge for all-star teams. With that in mind, lets delve into into a diamond in the Cleveland rough;

Lonnie Chisenhall