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Rumors that the Oakland Athletics will trade Brandon Moss to the Cleveland Indians continue to swirl as we approach next week's Winter Meetings in San Diego. Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer:
#Indians guardedly optimistic that trade for Oakland's Brandon Moss will get done. Timetable to be determined.
— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) December 4, 2014
@RickyC330 Like Swisher, he's not part of the conversation.
— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) December 4, 2014
Trade target: 2B Joe Wendle
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Susan Slusser reported in the SFGate Oakland Athletics Drumbeat blog that minor league second baseman Joe Wendle is among the A's targets in Cleveland, citing big league sources. The 24-year-old Wendle played 87 games in his first Double-A campaign interrupted by a broken right hamate bone incurred when he fouled a ball off the hand. The good news is he had the bone removed so he can't injure it again. In those games, Wendle went .253/.311/.414 for .161 isolated power which included eight home runs, all off right-handed pitchers.
On Wednesday evening, Jane Lee of mlb.com expanded the list of possible suitors for Moss:
Hearing that the Indians aren't the only team in on Moss. Either way, nothing appears imminent, though that could quickly change of course.
— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) December 4, 2014
Who steps in for Moss
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In agreeing to terms with Ike Davis and avoiding arbitration at Tuesday's non-tender deadline, first base could be manned by a platoon of Davis against right-handed pitching and Billy Butler against left-handed pitching, with Butler the designated hitter against righties. Moss mostly played in the corner outfield in the second half of the season, but Oakland at present has several other outfield options including Josh Reddick, Craig Gentry, Sam Fuld, Coco Crisp, and Stephen Vogt.
