MLB Trade Rumors: Indians and Pirates Interested in Carlos Quentin
According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Cleveland Indians and Pittsburgh Pirates are interested in
Carlos Quentin. Both are contenders now at the break and hope to be contenders throughout the rest of the season. Quentin could provide the type of offense that would help in that department.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are not only competing against the rest of the National League Central for a potential division crown or Wild Card berth, they are competing against history itself. The Pirates have not had a winning record since 1992. Last season, when the Gods of baseball took a nap during the early part of summer, the Pirate shot ahead to first place in the Central and looked poised to at very least finish over .500. That early summer run woke the sleeping giants and those Gods of baseball smack the Pirates down. They finished 72-90. With a lineup that includes perhaps the best player in the National League in Andrew McCutchen, the Pirates hope to add one more big bat to help power them through the dog days of summer, through the September call-ups and stretch run, and into the postseason for the first time in 20 years.
The Indians haven’t been quite as tortured as the Pirates, but they have not had a history of success. From 1995-1999, Cleveland made five straight postseasons and made the World Series in 1997. However, since then, the Indians have only been back to the play-offs twice – in 2001 and 2007. They picked up Ubaldo Jimenez last season to help push them past the Detroit Tigers. The plan did not work, but should they add another bat this year, they could make a run.
Carlos Quentin is, without a question, the most popular player on the offensive side of the trade market this season. He is hitting .268/.406/.518 with seven home runs in 33 games this year. He is a free agent at the end of this season, but he could bring back draft picks if the team trading for him makes a qualifying offer after the season and Quentin still signs elsewhere. At 28, he’s an attractive trade target for those looking for a righty with power.
For more on the Indians, be sure to check out Wahoo’s on First.
For more on the Pirates, be sure to check out Rum Bunter.