Division got a little easier as Tigers just traded J.D. Martinez to Arizona for a few prospects. Although from what I read on Twitter they are more like suspects.

Jordan Bastian @MLBastian
Francona: Salazar's next start will be for Indians. Rotation order after off-day TBD, tho. Kluber battling neck issue, could be pushed back.

Yankees have acquired Todd Frazier, David Robertson and Kahnle from Chisox for prospects.

Paul Hoynes
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Tribe lefty Boone Logan left game with strained lat muscle. Will get MRI on Thursday. DL strong possibility.

MLB trade rumors: Indians keeping an eye on Eduardo Nunez and other infielders


According to Buster Olney, the Tribe are scouting third baseman Eduardo Nunez as well as other infielders. What other infielders he means is a mystery left for another day, but the we know for sure the Indians pay scouts that are doing scouty things right now.

Considering Nunez plays for the San Francisco Giants — the team the Indians just played against — it shouldn’t have been too hard to scout him, though he did sit out for the final game with a sore hamstring. Hopefully the scouts got some good notes on how well he rides a bench in a game that his opponent should have easily won.

Nunez was an All-Star last season, but one of those “he’s an All-Star because every team needs an All-Star” type of selections for the miserable 2016 Minnesota Twins. Still, he wasn’t bad splitting time between the Giants and Twins; he slashed .288/.235/.432 with a career-high 16 home runs and a career-high 2.7 fWAR.

If the Indians do work out a trade with the Giants, it likely would not cost much as the 30-year-old third baseman is a half-year rental at this point. The most obvious reason for the Indians even wanting him (besides getting secret damaging information about the division rival Twins) is to put him at third base and have Jose Ramirez man second while Jason Kipnis recovers from his own injury.

Joe Heyman reporting Tribe is talking to Mets about Jay Bruce.

Another nice thing is that Nunez steals bases. Would be nice to add that element.

Musings on Michael Brantley.

Recovering from his shoulder issues brings to mind Adrian Gonzalez. At one time with San Diego, hit lots of homers but later on ran into similar shoulder issues.

AGon remained a very good hitter until old age hit - but never hit for the same power.

It occurs to me that Brantley may end up in a similar situation. Now Brantley NEVER had power as his game. So it isn't as dramatic as AGon. And he still is that beautiful "professional" hitter he always was.

Just my worthless opinion of course, but it seems to me perhaps Brantley may struggle to hit the 20+ homers I always felt was his potential - but will continue to be a very, very good hitter. AND fielder (nice throw yesterday Brantley!)

All injuries are not the same and Brantley's perhaps is different than AGon's. Time will tell.

I agree, TFIR, seems the injury has stripped him of that extra pop he had during his 20 HR career year. But I think he can still get back to that 10 to 15 HR's he had the other good seasons he had. He still has that great bat control, still getting on base and hitting for average. And what people may be missing, he is 11 out of 12 in steal attempts. He's not a blazer but so smart, just knows when to go.

I think he should be batting 2nd for us right now. Needs to stay up top cause he gets on base and can steal a base, but not enough pop for me to be batting 3rd right now.

I think it's criminal that Jose Ramirez, who has turned into one of the leagues best hitters, is not batting 2nd or 3rd. I know they want to give EE some protection, but he needs to be up top.

Lindor and Santana seem to have awakened from their slumbers. I would hit Lindor lead off right now. Brantley 2nd, Jose 3rd. EE clean up. Santana 5th. And while Chisenhall is out I would be playing Naquin about every day and bat him and Zimmer 6th and 7th.

Don't look now, but Zimmer has dropped to about 250 BA and is striking out a little more than every 3rd at bat. What I feared when we first brought him up. Hopefully he can make the adjustments he needs to quick. Naquin seems to have done it. He is just killing it in Columbus. Hitting .329 with a .383 OBP and 7 homers in just 140 AB's. That's about 30 homers over a full season of at bats. The Indians have not given Naquin a fair shake at all this year. Only 25 at bats. You have to play this guy and let him make the adjustments. He has great potential.

Edit:

I see todays lineup is out. Tito finally woke up from his long nap and took Zimmer out of the lead off spot. Unfortunately old dogs don't learn new tricks so he stuck Santana back there today.

The ole HB kiss of life is alive and well.

Brantley hits a 2 run homer.

Santana leads off 1st inning with a single, starting a 4 run inning.

And Guyer (I'd rather be playing Naquin every day in RF) hits a 3 RBI double in 1st.

I should complain far more often.

No, HB, I think it was the turkey breast roast I cooked Thur! Or maybe both of them?

Jim Bowden @Jim_BowdenSXM
Chris Antonetti “we are definitely going to be active at the trade deadline.” He told us needs are “the right pitcher” couple of bench spots

HB - I take credit for half of Brantley's kiss of life!

Still, until proven otherwise, I agree with your future projections of 10-15 homers for him and agree he can still be a really good and useful player doing that. Especially if he keeps stealing like he is - and his defense is excellent.

Absolutely. Another superb throw over the weekend to nail a guy at 2nd on a hit I thought sure was a double.

And BTW, the home run Brantley hit was no cheapo. Straight centerfield. Nice shot.

Happy birthday to you, J. R. !