CPD
Tribe pondering trade for Royals 3B Teahen
by Paul Hoynes Sunday October 26, 2008, 7:19 PM
Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP file photoIn 532 big-league games, Kansas City third baseman Mark Teahen has 47 home runs and a .268 batting average with a .313 on-base percentage. His best season was 2006, when he hit 19 homers and drove in 69 runs in just 393 at-bats.
PHILADELPHIA -- The Indians' search for a third baseman has taken them to Kansas City. They are talking to the Royals about acquiring Mark Teahen. Kansas City is looking for a center fielder, which would allow them to move David DeJesus to a left field. The Indians have an excess of outfielders in general and center fielders in particular.
Franklin Gutierrez, Ben Francisco and Trevor Crowe can play center.
The Royals have a standing interest in Gutierrez and Francisco. When the Indians approached them about acquiring right-hander Octavio Dotel in 2007, the Royals wanted Gutierrez or Francisco. The trade never happened and the Royals traded Dotel to Atlanta.
Teahen, 27, is a left-handed hitter who has primarily played right field for the last two seasons in Kansas City. He played third base in 2005 and 2006, but moved to the outfield to make room for No.1 pick Alex Gordon at third.
Third base remains his best position.
The Indians like Teahen's versatility. Last season he played first and third base and all three outfield positions. He has a good arm and manager Eric Wedge complimented him last season on his base-running.
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