Knoblauch Headed For Indians?

The Minnesota Twins may trade second baseman Chuck Knoblauch to the Cleveland Indians, according to a published report.

Sources said Cleveland was considering sending right-handed pitchers Chad Ogea and Steve Karsay to the Twins along with outfielder-designated hitter Brian Giles and infield prospect Enrique Wilson, the Saint Paul Pioneer Press reported.

Twins general manager Terry Ryan did not return phone calls from the AP on Monday. Indians spokesman Joel Gunderson said Monday he had no information about a possible trade and could not comment on the report.

Knoblauch, a career .304 hitter, and his agent, Alan Hendricks, have been adamant in their request that a deal be completed before spring training.

The Twins were interested in first baseman Sean Casey, the Indians’ minor league player of the year in 1997, but Cleveland has been cool to the idea.

Other players who have been discussed are Cleveland right-handers Bartolo Colon and Charles Nagy, third-base prospect Russell Branyan and first-base prospect Richie Sexson.

Infielder Manny Alexander and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a $425,000, one-year contract.

Pitcher Tyler Green signed a one-year, $425,000 contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Boston Red Sox named former Philadelphia Phillies general manager Lee Thomas as special assistant to GM Dan Duquette.