Would the Indians really trade Victor Villian?

There’s a few rumors out there that trade possibilities for Indians catcher Victor Martinez are being explored.

Martinez is having an All-Star season at 30 years old for the Tribe. He’s hitting .313 with 14 home runs and 57 RBI. He’s probably got five or six very good years left as long as he doesn’t log too many innings between the plate. What we’re saying is, Victor could definitely nab some high level prospects in return for the Indians and they’re at a crossroads where they must make a tough decision. And they don’t really seem to know what direction to head.

Mark Shapiro recently stated in an ESPN article by Jerry Crasknick that the Indians would be back in the playoffs in the next three years. If he really believes that’s true, then you hang onto a player like Martinez and develop another catcher so Martinez can become the full-time first baseman. The guy has always had too good of a stick to waste on the tools of ignorance.

The Indians seem stuck between a rock and a hard place. There’s been about 3 or 4 days in which we were sure it was the last straw for manager Eric Wedge. But the Indians seem just to reluctant to dismiss their manager. Maybe they’re really going to stay the course with this group and allow Wedge to finish what he started.

But a telling sign will be if a player like Martinez is moved. If that happens, it’s also likely that they’ll be starting over with a new manager that is smart enough to hit Grady Sizemore third in the order every night.