Outfielder Franklin Gutierrez has been pleasant surprise for the Indians, performing well in the field and hitting at a better than .300 clip in something approaching full-time play.
However, Gutierrez evidently has failed to win the team's confidence as the pennant drive wears on. The Indians continue to look for a big bat to fill a perceived outfield void, and may consummate a deal as soon as next week.
Gutierrez's teammate, Ben Francisco, has also acquitted himself well, but may find himself part of a package to swing a deal.
Doctor X -- the 'Baseball Medic' -- is an anonymous U.S. government trauma specialist with a Duke University sports medicine background and more than 20 years experience in emergency medicine. From time to time he considers MLB rumors, events and news reports as they pertain to baseball players' injuries, illnesses and various other disabilities, both on the field and off.
MLB Rumors editor Greg Fieg is a former sports news editor and award-winning writer whose bylines have appeared on the wires of the Associated Press and in numerous publications, including San Antonio Express-News, San Antonio Light, Houston Chronicle and Philadelphia Bulletin. He formerly was posted in various positions on the U.S.-Mexican border with Freedom Newspapers, and was a regular, independent contributor to United Press International.