Cleveland Indians trying hard to sign free-agent OF Shane Victorino: Winter Meetings chatter

SHANE-VICTORINO2.JPG The Indians continue their pursuit of free agent Shane Victorino.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Some news and notes from the winter meetings at the Opryland Hotel.

• GM Chris Antonetti said that the Indians have been exhaustive in their search for an outfielder and first baseman to fill holes in the lineup.

One of the outfielders they've inquired about, and are currently negotiating with, is switch-hitter Shane Victorino. The Indians started their pursuit of Victorino early in the free-agent process and have continued it this week at the winter meetings.

During the season, before the Phillies traded Victorino to the Dodgers, the Indians tried to trade for Victorino. They offered one of their front-line relievers, but the Phillies wanted more.

Victorino has played mostly center field in his career, but he's let it be known that he would play left or right field for the right deal. Victorino, 32, hit .255 (152-for-595) with 29 doubles, seven triples, 11 homers and 55 RBI last season. He scored 72 runs and stole 39 bases in 45 attempts.

It wasn't Victorino's best year, but he could definitely help the Indians' lineup at the top of the order. He's a two-time All-Star and a three-time Gold Glove winner.

The Indians have Michael Brantley in center and Shin-Soo Choo, a trade candidate, in right. Victorino played all three outfield positions last year ,and Antonetti made it clear Monday that if the Indians do add an outfielder, Brantley would almost certainly stay in center field unless it was clear the new addition would improve the club by playing center.

Brantley has the versatility to play left.

It will probably take a four-year deal for the Indians to sign Victorino. The Giants just re-signed center fielder Angel Pagan to a four-year $40 million offer, while Atlanta signed center fielder B.J. Upton to a five-year $75 million deal.

• The Mets reportedly have interest in Indians set-up man Vinnie Pestano. It doesn't sound like Pestano is going anywhere.

• Indians new catcher Yan Gomes will play for Brazil in the World Baseball Classic. Brazil had to qualify for the tournament, and Gomes recently delivered the game-winning hit to beat Panama.

Brazil is in Pool A, which begins play March 2 in Fukouka, Japan, on March 2. Gomes, who is scheduled to report to spring training with pitchers and catchers on Feb. 10 in Goodyear, Ariz., is going to be a traveling man this spring.

So far, no Indians have been named to Team USA. Joe Torre will manage Team USA, which begins play March 8 against Mexico at Chase Field in Phoenix.

• Paul Hagen was elected the 2013 winner of the J.G. Taylor Spink award. Hagen, who has written and reported on baseball for 40 years, currently writes for MLB.com. He did the bulk of his work with the Philadelphia Daily News.

Hagen received 269 of the 421 ballots cast by members of the Baseball Writers Association of America who have been members for 10 or more years. Jim Hawkins, who covered the Detroit Tigers for much of his career, received 87 votes. Russ Schneider, who covered the Indians for The Plain Dealer, received 60 votes.

"I'm disappointed, but not surprised," said Schneider. "I know there are a couple of thousand baseball writers who would have liked to make the final ballot."

Billy Butler was voted the 2012 Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter award. Butler hit .313 (192-for-614) with 32 doubles, one triple, 29 homers and 107 RBI for Kansas City. 

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