TRIBE TRADES FOR BARFIELD
The Cleveland Indians acquired second baseman Josh Barfield from the San Diego Padres for minor-league third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff and minor-league pitcher Andrew Brown.
What does it give the Cleveland Guardians
The Tribe played out the final months of the 2006 season without an everyday-caliber second baseman after the trade of Ronnie Belliard, so young Barfield will slip right into that role. Just 23, he showed flashes of star ability in San Diego as a rookie. He's got good power for a second baseman, along with some speed and a consistent line-drive swing, so he'll stabilize the position for years in Cleveland. Kouzmanoff was a spare part with Andy Marte ahead of him among Cleveland hot-corner prospects.
What does it give the San Diego Padres
As much as he wasn't the top third-base prospect with the Indians, Kouzmanoff is ready to play in the majors every day and perhaps excel. The 25-year-old broke through to a new level at Double-A, Triple-A and, briefly, the majors last season, showing improved power, excellent plate discipline and the ability to hit for massive batting average. The Padres were desperate for help at the hot corner (assuming Russell Branyan wasn't really their answer) and they have it now. Brown has never been a top prospect and this is his third trade. But he has turned a corner since being moved to the bullpen in 2005, putting up two fine years of middle relief at Triple-A and finally pitching briefly in the majors in 2006. He'll compete for a spot in the San Diego bullpen in the spring. This trade does fill their need for a third baseman at the big-league level but also creates a hole at second that will have to be filled this off-season.
Fantasy impact
