Anyone Want Mark DeRosa Back?
SI’s Jon Heyman reports that the Cleveland Indians are fielding offers for Mark DeRosa, whom they acquired from the Cubs in a trade just this last off-season:
The Indians are looking mainly for pitchers who can help them now. Although they are off to their second straight horrible start, the Indians are apparently not close to giving up hope in a tight AL Central. Pitching has been their main problem in their 14-26 start (8 1/2 games back from the division-leading Tigers).
The Mets are one possibility for DeRosa, since the versatile 34-year-old could play first base, but it’s believed Nick Johnson tops their wish list, with Aubrey Huff or possibly Russell Branyan likely ahead of DeRosa. The Mets would have greater interest in Indians star Victor Martinez, but there’s no indication Cleveland would consider trading him.
The question I asked in the headline is about half-serious. I realize the Cubs had legitimate reasons for moving DeRosa – they were trying to get better defensively and more left-handed – and I know that Ryan Freel and Aaron Miles are good enough back-up infielders. Still…DeRosa was such a big key to the team’s chemistry last year, plus he has enough pop in his bat to help make up for the loss of Aramis Ramirez.
I need to just move on, don’t I?
If it were that easy to swallow pride.. I would welcome Mark back…but now may too late?
May 29th, 2009 at 3:10 pm