Royals exploring deal to send Teahen to Indians for outfielder

PHILADELPHIA | The Royals are discussing a possible trade with the Cleveland Indians in which they would acquire an outfielder in exchange for Mark Teahen, according to sources with both teams.

Talks are believed to center on three possibilities for the Royals in the deal: Franklin Gutierrez, Ben Francisco and minor-leaguer Trevor Crowe.

The Royals previously tried to pry either Gutierrez or Francisco from the Indians when shopping reliever Octavio Dotel midway through the 2007 season.

All three trade targets are capable of playing center field, which would permit the Royals to shift David DeJesus, as they have long desired, on a full-time basis to left field.

No deal appears imminent, but general manager Dayton Moore has consistently cited the club’s need for improved offense as his top offseason priority. The Royals finished 12th among 14 American League teams last season in runs and on-base percentage. Only Minnesota hit fewer homers.

The Miami Herald also reported the Florida Marlins had serious talks last week with the Royals in their efforts to trade first baseman Mike Jacobs. The Herald said the deal fell apart “because of a medical issue involving the minor-league pitcher that Florida would have received.” The Marlins have also shopped Jacobs to Toronto and San Francisco.

Teahen, 27, has failed to become the consistent run-producer envisioned when acquired from Oakland in June 2004 as a central figure in a deal that sent outfielder Carlos Beltran to Houston.

It required a strong finish last season for Teahen to boost his average to .255 with 15 homers and 59 RBIs in 149 games. He spent most of the last two seasons in the outfield but would likely return to his natural position, third base, if obtained by the Indians.

The Indians are searching for a third baseman after souring on Andy Marte as a replacement for veteran Casey Blake, whom they traded in July to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Cleveland also has a surplus of young outfielders. Grady Sizemore is a fixture in center field, and Shin-Soo Choo appears set after batting .309 with 14 homers and 66 RBIs in 94 games.

Further, the Indians obtained two top outfield prospects, Matt LaPorta and Michael Brantley, in the June trade that sent pitcher C.C. Sabathia to Milwaukee.

Gutierrez, 25, batted .248 last season with eight homers and 41 at-bats in 134 games. Francisco, 27, batted .266 with 15 homers and 54 RBIs in 121 games. Both are right-handed hitters.

Crowe is a switch-hitter who turns 24 in November. He batted .302 last season while splitting 84 games at Class AA Akron and Class AAA Buffalo. He also had nine homers, 41 RBIs and a .381 on-base percentage.

Any of the three would free up some salary for the Royals as they enter the free-agent market. Neither Gutierrez nor Francisco is yet eligible for arbitration -- Francisco won’t likely gain eligibility until after the 2010 season. Crowe has never played in the big leagues.

In contrast, Teahen is in his second year of arbitration eligibility. He made $2.3375 million last year, which positions him for an increase to $3 million or more in 2009.

To reach Bob Dutton, Royals reporter for The Star, call (816) 234-4352 or send email to bdutton@kcstar.com.

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