Hot Stove Heating Up!

For the second day in a row a highly sought after player has been dealt to a playoff contender. The Los Angeles Dodgers today acquired 3B/OF Casey Blake from the Cleveland Indians for two minor leaguers. The right handed hitting Blake, a free agent to be at season's end, had a line of .289/11/58 this season for the Indians. Blake played a combination of third base and left field this season in Cleveland and is expected to take over as the Dodgers every day third baseman, solidifying a position that has been up for grabs all season in LA.

This is a good pickup for the Dodgers who were in need of another bat as well as some stability on the left side of the infield. Blake's .289 average and 58 RBI led the Indians. As many as seven other teams were rumored to have interest in Blake including the Rays and Mets.

From the Indian's perspective this move made a lot of sense. With Blake's contract expiring at the end of the year they were better off getting something in return rather than watching him walk away and taking their chances with a low compensation pick. One of the players they received in was single A catcher Carlos Santana who is batting .323 with 14 homers and is considered a very good offensive prospect. The other player, a triple A right handed pitcher named Jon Meloan, is 5-10 with a 4.97 era this season.