Casey Blake to the Dodgers

[Another Blown Save]

Source: Indians, Dodgers close to deal sending Blake to L.A.

By Jayson Stark

The Cleveland Indians are closing in on a trade that would send third baseman/outfielder Casey Blake and cash to the Los Angeles Dodgers for two minor leaguers, according to a source with knowledge of the deal.

The teams were in the process of finalizing the deal early Saturday and it appeared the trade could be completed by the end of the day.

The Indians were believed to be receiving minor league catcher Carlos Santana and right-handed pitcher Jon Meloan. Santana is hitting .323, with 14 homers, for Inland Empire, in the Class A California League. The hard-throwing Meloan is 5-10, with a 4.97 ERA, at Triple-A Las Vegas -- but has piled up 335 strikeouts in only 262 innings in his minor league career.

With the trade of Xavier Nady to the Yankees on Friday, Blake was possibly the most highly sought-after bat on the market. Other teams pursuing him included the Rays, Mets and Phillies.

Those three teams would have played Blake in the outfield. But if the trade goes through he'll become the Dodgers' everyday third baseman, replacing slumping rookies Blake DeWitt and Andy LaRoche.

Blake, who can be a free agent after this season, was batting .289 for the Indians, with 11 homers, 58 RBIs and a .398 average with runners in scoring position.

Jayson Stark is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

[clevername]

I really wish the Dodgers would trade LaRoche to somewhere he can play.

[nateb]

Not surprising. The Dodgers had been interested in Blake for a while.

[The Artful Dodger]

Fantastic. Looks like we'll have to scrap the "Welcome back, Tru" banner idea now.

[tinfoilxtouch]

It's cute the Dodgers think 1) they are actually a contending team and 2) Casey Blake is the answer to their lack of hitting, pitching, and fielding.

[Amazing Oopah]

I'm guessing he's going to 3B right? Hope he continues to be a solid contributor regardless.

[OneLoveBoomer]

It's cute the Dodgers think 1) they are actually a contending team and 2) Casey Blake is the answer to their lack of hitting, pitching, and fielding.

Shows what you know about Casey Blake. If I were startiing a team from scratch, I'd base it around him as my centerpiece.

[The Artful Dodger]

It's cute the Dodgers think 1) they are actually a contending team and 2) Casey Blake is the answer to their lack of hitting, pitching, and fielding.

With the NL West as it is, I don't see why they can't make a run at a piece that *might* help them. Blake is by no means the answer like a Sabathia or Holliday but the NL playoffs figures to be a crapshoot although the Dodgers will muff it entirely as they always have in either being too cheap or not proactive enough.

As for the move, management just doesn't know when to ride their patience or be impatient enough to move. I've always been a proponent for Andy Laroche but aside from running in with injuries, unfortunately he hasn't had his chances to make a good impression.

[thejusman1]

I don't see how this solves anything for the Dodgers. Maybe if we got someone stupid enough to take Andruw Jones' contract from us, that would help.

[Old_Style]

It's cute the Dodgers think 1) they are actually a contending team and 2) Casey Blake is the answer to their lack of hitting, pitching, and fielding.

Shows what you know about Casey Blake. If I were startiing a team from scratch, I'd base it around him as my centerpiece.

You're crazy...