The Indians have had on-going talks with the Dodgers about right-hander Hiroki Kuroda and infielder Jamey Carroll. Those talks have hit a lull over the past few days, but they don't appear to be dead.
Various rumors have the Indians pursuing Colorado right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez, who won 19 games last year, but had struggled this year until a recent hot streak. Jimenez is making $2.8 million this year, $4.2 million next year and has club option worth $5.75 million in 2013. That's called a club-friendly contract, which is one of the reasons so many teams are interested.
The price for Jimenez will be high and until recently it didn't sound as if the Indians were willing to meet it. Perhaps they've changed their mind, which means they might be willing to deal part of the prospect quartet of Drew Pomeranz, Jason Kipnis, Lonnie Chisenhall and Alex White.
Should the Rockies or Dodgers want a big-league ready pitcher in return for Jimenez or Kuroda, the Indians have several options.
The Tribe has been linked to San Diego outfielder Ryan Ludwick and right-hander Aaron Harang and Oakland outfielder Josh Willingham. Carlos Quentin would certainly look good in a Tribe uniform if the White Sox continue to deal veterans as they did with Edwin Jackson and Mark Teahen on Wednesday. The Indians and Chicago, however, haven't made a deal since 1994.
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