Let's get to it...

Jason Bay is a name that gets tossed around a bit as a possibility for left field. He had an off year, but he won't come cheap. Along with Cliff Lee, do you think the Indians would be willing to give up prospects like Trevor Crowe or Chuck Lofgren for Bay, even though Mark Shapiro is "comfortable" starting next season with the same lineup as this year?
-- Drew, New York City

If I were Shapiro, I'd feel a lot more comfortable with a starting outfield of Bay, Grady Sizemore and Franklin Gutierrez than one in which left field is filled by any of the in-house candidates -- David Dellucci (tough '07), Jason Michaels (fourth outfielder extraordinaire), Ben Francisco (unproven rookie) or Shin-Soo Choo (coming off Tommy John surgery).

That's not to say Bay is not a question mark, either. He battled knee problems in '07 and put together his worst statistical season since taking over the Bucs' everyday left-field job. Still, you can't ignore the power, speed, plate discipline, defense and attitude he could potentially bring to the table. Plus, he's best buddies with Sizemore, so you have to like that clubhouse element.

The Pirates are rumored to be shopping Bay this winter, and it's possible a starting pitcher and a prospect or two could land him. The Indians have been reluctant to part with prospects in the past, but they do have depth in their outfield and depth in left-handed pitching. Crowe and Lofgren? It's not out of the realm of possibility, in that regard.

Bay's right-handed bat would be my preference in the trade market, but I'd also look into the possibility of acquiring a lefty like Carl Crawford of the Devil Rays or Josh Hamilton of the Reds. It would take an enormous package to land Crawford, and I don't expect to see him dealt. The pitching-starved Reds, though, have outfield depth and more help on the way in the form of top prospect Jay Bruce, so maybe they'd consider parting with Hamilton, who is a five-tool player when healthy.

Have a question about the Indians? E-mail your query to MLB.com Indians beat reporter Anthony Castrovince for possible inclusion in a future Inbox column. Letters may be edited for brevity, length and/or content. First Name, Last Initial: Hometown: Email Address: Question:

The buzz on Josh Barfield as he ascended through the Minors was always about his hitting ability, and any concern was about his range at second base. After watching him at second for 130 games this year, I don't really think that's a concern any more. Barfield's numbers during his sophomore campaign don't appear terrible, compared to Jhonny Peralta's ugly second year. I understand that shuffling the infield around would create some logistical problems, but I don't know that Barfield would truly benefit from more time in Triple-A. I think the kid's proven he's ready for the big leagues.
-- Daniel S., Mount Vernon, Ohio

You're right, Daniel, that the buzz on Barfield has done a 180 in the last couple years. Barfield went through a trying time similar to that of Peralta, and Barfield had the added element of having to switch leagues and adjust to different pitching.

It's important to remember, though, that the similarities between the Barfield and Peralta situations end when you consider the issue of depth. The Indians did not have anyone else in-house who appeared ready to push Peralta at shortstop. They do have such an option at second base, in Asdrubal Cabrera. If Cabrera didn't magically appear in the last two months of '07, we're not having this conversation (nor are we discussing the Indians' run to the ALCS).

But Cabrera did arrive, and now it's difficult to discern just where Barfield will fit in next year. Maybe he'll head to Buffalo. Or maybe the Indians will consider keeping him aboard as a backup. He could spell Cabrera at second or take over second on days Cabrera spells Peralta at short. I still think it's best for Barfield to head down to Triple-A, get consistent at-bats, regain some confidence and let the rest take care of itself.

As for Peralta, he's not the most popular player among Indians fans, but he did show improved range and plate performance this season. At this juncture, it doesn't make sense to shuffle the entire infield (i.e. moving Peralta to third and Cabrera to short and bumping Casey Blake) to accommodate Barfield, who simply didn't live up to offensive expectations this season.

They say Jim Thome's home run to center field was the farthest at The Jake, but I think Mark McGwire's would have been farther if not for the Budweiser sign on the scoreboard. Do you have the top 10 homer distances all time at Jacobs Field?
-- Randall G., Kent, Ohio

Had that Budweiser sign not gotten in the way, it's undeniable that McGwire's blast would have been the longest in the park's history. But hey, that's not the first time alcohol has impeded progress in mankind.

I don't have the top 10, Randall, but I can provide you with the top seven: 1. Thome, 511 feet, July 3, 1999, against Kansas City 2. McGwire, 485 feet, April 30, 1997, with Oakland 3. Manny Ramirez, 481 feet, July 26, 2007, with Boston 4. Thome, 479 feet, July 17, 2000, against Houston 5. Thome, 478 feet, July 27, 1999, against Detroit 6. Thome, 477 feet, Oct. 11, 1999, against Boston 7. Travis Hafner, 477 feet, June 25, 2005, against Cincinnati

Curt Schilling has included the Indians as one of the teams he would consider playing for in 2008. Veteran starting pitching, especially playoff experience, would greatly benefit the Indians. Are they looking at making a run at Schilling in free agency?
-- Matt D., Minneapolis

Schilling listed the Indians among 13 teams he'd be interested in pitching for next year. He made that list an entry on his blog, because that's the hip way to do things nowadays.

Unfortunately, general manager Mark Shapiro doesn't have a blog expressing interest in specific players. If he did, however, I can't help but doubt Schilling would show up on his list for '08. The Indians already have starting depth, and, at 41, Schilling is nearing the end of his rope, if not the end of his blog.

As you mentioned, the Tribe will probably not make any major winter acquisitions. But the obvious question regarding free agency is: Do the Indians have any interest at all in Alex Rodriguez or Barry Bonds?
-- Thomas K., Cleveland

Let's just get this out of the way now, so that the inbox isn't bombarded in the coming weeks and we can all move on with our lives...

It's not going to happen.

When Cliff Lee hit Sammy Sosa in the head with a pitch with Victor Martinez catching, did that have anything to do with Lee going to the Minors?
-- Dan S., Kent, Ohio

That might have caused some tension in the dugout that night, but it had nothing to do with Lee getting sent down. He made another disastrous start with the club after that outing in Texas, and his 6.38 ERA was what ultimately punched his ticket to Buffalo.

And finally...

Does the World Series debacle allow for an argument that the Indians were the second-best MLB team in 2007?
-- Don E., Great Falls, Va.

Wait a minute... You mean to tell me that Indians-Red Sox series wasn't the World Series?

In other words, yes, I'd allow that argument, Don. But only if you're willing to handle all the hate mail I am now sure to receive from the great state of Colorado.