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The Indians are reportedly interested in Oakland first baseman/corner outfielder Brandon Moss, and the A's are "listening," according to Bay Area News Group A's beat writer John Hickey.
There is no word at this moment on whom the Indians might be offering in exchange for Moss. Oakland recently traded away it's best player, Josh Donaldson, which might make one think they're looking to rebuild for the future, but that move was apparently made in large part due for personal reasons, and the A's are intent on contending in 2015, as evidenced by them signing Billy Butler. Point being, the Indians would likely be giving up young MLB players or prospects who are ready (or very close) to contribute at the MLB level.
Moss is a 31-year-old left-handed hitter, which makes him seem like something of an odd fit for a team that seems to need improvement in its performance against left-handing pitching. Moss has shown a platoon split in terms of his power, but his on-base skills have been consistent against both types of pitchers, and he's a strong enough hitter to play every day.
Over the last two seasons Moss has posted a .244/.335/.478 line, good for a 128 wRC+, which would put him behind only Michael Brantley and Carlos Santana on the Indians. Moss has hit 55 home runs during that time, more than anyone on the Tribe (who've been led by Santana's 47). Steamer projects him to post similar numbers in 2015. Moss is a poor defender though, so while he'd be able to spell Santana at first, and spend some time in right field, he might be best-suited as a DH.
Moss has two years of arbitration eligibility remaining. He's in line to make something like $7 million in 2015, and if he were to have the kind of season he's projected for, he'd be in line for $10-12 million in 2016.
If he were a free agent and the Indians were able to sign him for 2 years/$18 million, I'd be very happy, but I'm not sure how much talent I'm comfortable with the team giving up in order to land him, making it hard to weigh in any further on this potential trade until we know what might be sent to Oakland.