The names just keep popping up for the Indians at the 2016 MLB Winter Meetings, and the latest on the list appears to be free agent first baseman and outfielder Mark Trumbo, who played for the Orioles in Baltimore last season.
Trumbo is reportedly being talked to by not only the Indians but also the Seattle Mariners according to both MLB.com’s Greg Johns and FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman.
Indians, looking for big righty bat, have talked to trumbo as well as encarnacion and Bautista. Also talking to Nap.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 7, 2016
The Indians spoke to Mike Napoli about a return on Monday, but it sounds like the length of the deal is the major stumbling block for a return to the ‘Party at Napoli’s.’
Reports say the Indians only want to give Napoli a one-year deal, and the slugger who hit 32 bombs last season is looking for at least a two-year deal from the Tribe.
Edwin Encarnacion’s name popped up Monday as well with a link to the Tribe, but many have speculated that the money is just going to be too much for the Indians to handle, and that he’s eventually going to find greener pastures than what the Indians can offer.
Which leaves Trumbo, who at 30 last season hit .256 with an AL high 47 homers and 108 runs batted in. In his career in the big leagues he’s played with the Angels, Diamondbacks, Seattle and last season with the Orioles.
In 2015 he split time with Arizona and Seattle, and hit 22 homers and 64 runs batted in.
His best season other than last year came in 2005 when with the Angels he hit a career-high .258 with 32 homers and 95 runs batted in and was on the All-Star team for the American League.
The Indians would likely see him as a first basemen who would split time with Carlos Santana, much like Napoli did a season ago. He would also fill the void the Indians currently have for a right-handed power bat.
If he decides to go to Seattle, he would probably play in the outfield according to reports.
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