But before I can dip into my stockpile of tricks and treats, I've got to dip my hand in the mailbag and see what's on the minds of Tribe fans this week.

What is your view on the rumor of Mark Teahen for an outfielder -- Ben Francisco, Trevor Crowe, or Franklin Gutierrez? The deal makes some sense from the standpoint of Teahen moving back to third base. What is your opinion?
-- Brent R., Archbold, Ohio

Viewing Teahen as the answer for this team at third base is a struggle. He was once a promising prospect, and we cannot rule out the possibility that he's one of those guys who would simply benefit from a change of scenery and a change in hitting coaches. Nor can we rule out the possibility that being forced to play the outfield the last two seasons, instead of his natural position at third, affected him at the plate.

Still, the numbers, which show Teahen's regression as a hitter since a solid (but hardly mesmerizing) 2006 season with the Royals, do not lie. His OPS has shrunk from .874 in '06 to .763 in '07 to .715 in '08. His strikeouts in that span have increased from 85 to 127 to 131. Last year, he drew just 46 walks.

Defensively, Teahen would bring more versatility than Francisco, Gutierrez or Crowe, as he can play third base or the outfield. But Teahen has never been rated as anything more than an average defender at third. According to STATS LLC., he had a .734 zone rating at third in '06, meaning he fielded 73.4 percent of the balls hit into his typical defensive zone. For the sake of comparison, Casey Blake was at .769 and Andy Marte was at .805 for the Indians this past season.

Obviously, the Indians would be dealing from a position of strength if they gave up Francisco, Gutierrez or Crowe. They would, however, be adding some payroll, as Teahen is eligible for his second round of arbitration. He made $2.3 million last year and is due to make at least $3 million next season.

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Maybe the Indians are thinking about acquiring Teahen simply so they don't have to face him. He's hit .315 with six homers and 25 RBIs in 54 career games against the Tribe.

For now, let's remember that clubs discuss countless deals each winter, and only a small percentage of those talks lead to the consummation of a deal. We'll label the Teahen trade as a possibility, but it's best not to get too emotionally invested in it, either way, until it's concrete.

I'm still not OK with us trading away the best beard in baseball! Is there any room for Casey Blake on the '09 roster? Wouldn't a short-term deal with Blake as a utility infielder buy us some time until our prospects are ready?
-- Mandy M., Cleveland

General manager Mark Shapiro has said he considers Blake a possibility for next season. But Blake could receive multiyear offers this winter -- perhaps from the Dodgers -- and I don't see the Indians making such an offer to the 35-year-old.

If the Indians find a third baseman, they are more likely to either get what they consider to be a long-term answer at the position or a short-term stopgap until Wes Hodges is ready.

Why is everybody so intent on wanting to make Grady Sizemore something other than a leadoff hitter? Every spot you move up in the batting order, you pick up an extra 20 at-bats a season. Therefore, you want your best hitter to bat leadoff. We are the only team in baseball who does that, so why change it?
-- Kyle S., Granville, Ohio

I had to double-check and make sure this e-mail wasn't submitted by Eric W. from Fort Wayne, Ind.

In one sense, Kyle, you are correct that having a hitter with the ability to generate scoring opportunities the way Sizemore does in your leadoff spot is ideal.

In another sense, though, Grady has graduated from the leadoff role. His power capabilities would sure be a nice asset in the No. 3 spot, especially now that Hafner is such a question mark. Sizemore hit 33 homers in '08, but only 11 came with a guy on base.

Sizemore cut down on his strikeouts this season, which is nice. But his on-base percentage and batting average both dipped.

As we've discussed numerous times in the mailbag, the Indians will only move Sizemore down if they have a bona fide candidate to take over the leadoff duties.

Sizemore, Shin-Soo Choo, Francisco, Gutierrez, Crowe, Matt LaPorta, Michael Brantley and David Dellucci. Which of these is not like the other? With a slew of young, talented outfielders who are not set to make $4 million next season, what is the chance that that the Tribe finds a better home for Mr. Dellucci before next season?
-- Eric B., Fostoria, Ohio

Barring an unforeseen development, Dellucci will serve in either a platoon or reserve role at the outset of next season. He makes too much to simply be kicked to the curb, and he doesn't produce enough to be considered trade bait.

On the bright side, he does bring veteran leadership to a team that needs it. Not bad for 4 million bucks, huh?

After weeding out the high-price names that won't be on the Tribe's free-agent short list, here's a quiz for you to ponder. Please share your answers with the rest of the class. Remember, there are no wrong answers:

Who would you rather have at second base: Jamey Carroll (35 years old) or Nick Punto (31)?

Of these three corner outfielder/DH types, who might the Indians actually try to sign: Adam Dunn (29), Raul Ibanez (37) or Juan Rivera (30)?

The Tribe seems to like pitching projects and lefties. Which of these free-agent starters might the Tribe consider: Matt Clement (33), Freddy Garcia (33), Jason Jennings (30), Braden Looper (34), Odalis Perez (32), Randy Wolf (32) or Mark Mulder (31)?

Extra credit question: Which free agent more closely fits the Tribe's wallet/philosophy when signing closers: Brian Fuentes (33) or Brandon Lyon (29)?
-- Walter M., Chagrin Falls, Ohio

Yikes. If that's not a depressing list, I don't know what is.

My answers are Carroll, Rivera, Looper and Lyon. But I should probably just peek at Shapiro's sheet.

What's the fate of Ryan Garko? He did so well toward the end of the season.
-- Annalesa A., Louisville, Ohio

Garko crawled his way out of Eric Wedge's doghouse by driving in 40 runs over the last two months of the season. By the end of the year, Wedge was going out of his way to praise the job Garko was doing.

With Travis Hafner's shoulder a concern, the Indians could still have plenty of need for Garko, even if Kelly Shoppach gets consistent time behind the plate and Victor Martinez sees more starts at first base. And let's not forget that Garko does have two Minor League options remaining.

My point is that Garko will most likely remain in the organization, as his trade value isn't exactly overwhelming after an inconsistent year.

And finally ...

I really like the mailbag. But I have a beef with your use of the word "golfed" last week. You used it as a verb, which is like saying "We went baseballing." Technically, it should be "I played golf." Sorry, but it's one of my pet peeves.
-- Kelsey W., Groves, Texas

I used "trick-or-treated" as a verb in this week's mailbag intro just for you, Kelsey. But I see your point that "golfed" is a little clumsy. Still, I dictionaried it, and it is, indeed, a word.