UPDATE: it’s official

And the countdown begins to Vin’s first mention of “Casey at the bat“. :)

ESPN.com: “Source: Indians, Dodgers close to deal sending Blake to L.A.”

The Cleveland Indians are closing in on a trade that would send third baseman/outfielder Casey Blake and cash to the Los Angeles Dodgers for two minor leaguers, according to a source with knowledge of the deal.

The teams were in the process of finalizing the deal early Saturday and it appeared the trade could be completed by the end of the day.

While Blake won’t make that much of an impact — it’s not as if we’re getting A-Rod — he will likely stabilize the 3B position for the rest of the year. As a rental, he could also net us a draft pick or two if we let him walk at the end of the season.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see DeWitt sent down where he should have been the last month or so, with LaRoche on the bench as 2B/3B backup. Unless Andy winds up in some other trade.

The two minor leaguers heading the other direction for Blake are said to be Carlos Santana and Jon Meloan.