Third base is a position in transition for the Indians following the trade of Jhonny Peralta. Jayson Nix will get the first chance to win the job.
View full sizeJayson Nix, who has played plenty of second base for the Indians this season, gets the first chance to win the third baseman's job after the trade of Jhonny Peralta.CLEVELAND — Let the tryouts begin.
Following the trade of Jhonny Peralta just before Wednesday night's game, the Indians began auditions for their next third baseman. Jayson Nix, who started against the Yankees on Thursday, will get the first shot.
"We got production out of him at second base," said Tribe manager Manny Acta. "He'll get the majority of at-bats right now."
Practicing their lines, and waiting for a chance, will be Andy Marte and Luis Valbuena in the big leagues. In the minors, Jared Goedert is lurking at Class AAA Columbus and Lonnie Chisenhall at Class AA Akron.
There could be more third basemen coming. Acta said the Indians will explore the free-agent market this winter to see who is available.
Nix is hitting .255 (24-for-94) with five doubles, six homers and 12 RBI in 24 games since being claimed on waivers from the White Sox on June 24. He started quickly with the Tribe but lost his starting position at second when the Indians gave the job to Jason Donald following the return of shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera from a broken left forearm.
The right-handed-hitting Nix played 16 games at third, including 12 starts, with the White Sox this season before he was designated for assignment.
"I feel comfortable over there," said Nix. "With Jhonny gone, this is a good opportunity."
Acta said Marte will get a chance to start some games, while Valbuena will be used mostly as a utility infielder. Valbuena, called up after Peralta was traded to Detroit, could get a start or two at third if the Indians are facing a particularly tough right-hander.
Goedert is hitting .310 (108-for-348) with 24 homers and 68 RBI at Class AAA Columbus and Class AA Akron this year. Acta said he could get a look in September. Right now, he's working on his defense.
"We don't have a power point presentation on who is going to play third base," said Acta. "The first step is to see what these guys here are able to do. Step No. 2 would be taking a look at Goedert. Step No. 3 would be to look what's in the market and to see if we're going to make a commitment to anybody outside the organization."
Third baseman who could be available this winter as free agents include Garrett Atkins, Wilson Betemit, Geoff Blum, Jorge Cantu, Pedro Feliz, Jerry Hairston Jr., Bill Hall, Wes Helms, Brandon Inge, Jose Lopez, Mike Lowell, Melvin Mora, Peralta, Robb Quinlan, Miguel Tejada, Juan Uribe and Ty Wigginton.
Scratched: DH Travis Hafner was scratched from the Indians lineup because of a sore right shoulder. Shelley Duncan replaced him.
Late call: Marte, one of Peralta's closest friends on the team, said Peralta wasn't told about the trade until about 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
"He was sitting in his uniform when he got called into the office," said Marte. "Manny [Acta] told me to get ready to play third. Then Jhonny came out and told me he'd been traded.
"It's tough. He's like a brother to me."
Marte said Peralta was excited about the trade to the Tigers.
"He said he could get a chance to play shortstop again," said Marte.
Peralta joined the Tigers during their game against the Rays at Tropicana Field on Thursday afternoon. He's wearing No. 27.
The Tigers lost their third baseman (Inge) and second baseman Carlos Guillen to injuries. Peralta probably will start at third and bat in the middle of the lineup to offer Miguel Cabrera protection.
"What made it tough wasn't the time of the trade, it was the guy," said Acta. "He's a guy who has been here for a long time. He was signed and developed here. The type of person he is . . . that's what made it tough."
What happened? Valbuena opened the season with the Indians and was optioned to Columbus on June 24 with a .164 batting average. He hit .313 (30-for-96) with eight doubles, six homers and 20 RBI at Columbus.
"I worked on some things with my footwork," said Valbuena. "Up here, I was swinging across my body and couldn't pull the ball. I was able to pull the ball in Columbus."