A glimpse at next year?

The GM meetings are over and the off-season chatter is in high gear.

As far as the Tribe goes, some of what came out over this week was expected. Some was not. In fact, with them GM meetings concluded and the Winter Meetings just ahead their are some hints the Indians might make more noise than we originally thought.

First of all there was that curious mention of Miguel Cabrera in the Plain Dealer the other day. I haven't seen anything else about it, except for people repeating the PD article. The Tribe certainly has prospects, and could afford to trade Jhonny Peralta to the Marlins (where he would make the eventually inevitable move to 3B), but pretty much every newspaper in the country has a story about how and why their team should pursue Cabrera.

We thought the Tribe would be looking for a buyer for Cliff Lee. We had never, until this week, heard it could be the Mets.

And then there was this crazy thing about the Indians being interested in Luis Castillo - but only if they trade Peralta somewhere. (click the link and scroll down about halfway)

Could the rumors of Cliff Lee and Castillo have a connection?

Early in the week there was talk about Jason Bay coming to the Tribe. That is a pretty exciting bit of information and was not on the radar before this week.

One other bit of surprsing news - the Tribe would consider bringing Kenny Lofton back for next season if they can clear up the clutter they have in the corner outfield spots (and presumably if nothing happens on the Jason Bay front).

Of course the expected also happened. We found out Mark Shapiro is readying a contract extension to present to CC, and theTribe picked up options on Paul Byrd, Joe Borowski and Aaron Fultz.

Other Central Division teams were mentioned in the week's rumors. Here's a team-by-team rundown:

Tigers

• lost closer-designee Joel Zumaya to a freak injury for at least half of next season.


• were told by last year's closer Todd Jones that he would look into pitching closer to home. That team closer to his Alabama home - Atlanta - was not so interested.


• are checking with the Rockies on Brian Fuentes, Colorado's former closer, to fill in for Zumaya


• were told by Kenny Rogers that he would check out other options


• showed the obligatory interest in Miguel Cabrera, but actually were mentioned more often in rumors about Cabrera than were the Indians


• eventually came out and said they had no interest in A-Rod, after letting rumors to the contrary stew a while


• said they are no longer interested in Geoff Jenkins

Twins

• are taking a last stab at signing Johan Santana, but would likely trade him if they can't sign him


• are likely to lose Carlos Silva (this year's Gil Meche), who is getting much more attention in the thin pitching free-agent market than he deserves


• despite the likely loss of Silva this year, and possibly Santana next, seem willing to trad Matt Garza


• appear determined to add offense and seem to be interested in just about anybody in a Devil Rey uni


• talked to the Mets about a Garza/Carlos Gomez (top outfield prospect) deal


• rumored (by Buster Olney during an interview on XM Radio) to be looking at Scott Rolen of all people; the Twins say no


• one of many teams interested in Coco Crisp

White Sox

• have expressed the obligatory interest in Miguel Cabrera


• kicked the tires on Miguel Tejada and Bill Hall to play SS, then resigned Juan Uribe - who seemed to hit half his home runs against the Tribe

Royals

• looking to get Matt Clement on the cheap


• also have Silva, Jason Jennings and Chris Bensen on their wish list


• decided to keep Joakim Soria as their closer


• continue to be interested in Jose Guillen despite steriod allegations