by Ken Rosenthal

The only way the Indians will trade Lee, sources say, is if they are offered a potential top-of-the-rotation starter at the level of the Braves' Tommy Hanson or Red Sox's Clay Buchholz.

Such a pitcher would be the centerpiece of the Indians' multiplayer demand. And unless ownership orders a reduction in payroll, the Indians will not going to budge.

Lee, the 2008 American League Cy Young award winner, remains part of the Indians' plans not just for this season but also next year. The team, which lacks a suitable replacement, can retain him by exercising his $8 million club option.

The Dodgers engaged in serious talks with the Indians last summer for left-hander CC Sabathia and third baseman Casey Blake, then obtained Blake for minor-league catcher Carlos Santana and pitcher Jon Meloan.

They do not match up as well for Lee.

The Dodgers' best young starting pitchers, right-hander Chad Billingsley and lefty Clayton Kershaw, are part of the major-league rotation and all but untouchable. Their best pitching prospect, right-hander James McDonald, is not considered top-of-the-rotation material.

Thus, a package of say McDonald, third baseman Blake DeWitt and one or two other prospects would not be enough to satisfy the Indians. The Phillies have also asked about Lee, but balked at the price, sources say.

Teams will continue to covet Lee, who is 4-4 with a 2.20 ERA in his last 13 starts. The best guess is that he will not be traded, but the market currently is devoid of starting pitchers who are difference-makers.

In the end, the Indians might get what they want.

Holliday special?

Some rival executives believe the A's might accept a lesser trade offer for left fielder Matt Holliday so they can avoid offering him salary arbitration this offseason.

Don't count on it.

The A's have enough money to keep Matt Holliday -- at least in the short term -- a source says. (Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images)

The A's, according to one source with knowledge of the team's thinking, consider the prospect of offering Holliday arbitration "a total nonissue."

While Holliday, even after an off year, would command at least $15 million in arbitration, the A's are in strong enough financial position to carry such a salary, the source says.

Another option for the A's would be to sign Holliday and trade him; most high-revenue teams welcome players on one-year deals, even at an inflated price.

The issue, though, likely would not even advance that far since the chances of Holliday accepting arbitration would be slim.

Holliday's agent, Scott Boras, prefers his clients' values to be determined by the open market. Boras even rejected arbitration last offseason for catcher Jason Varitek, who wanted a two-year deal at age 35.

Holliday, 29, would be in far higher demand unless he were injured or ineffective for the rest of the season. The Angels are among the clubs expected to show heavy interest.

Rays' Bartlett: An unlikely slugger

The Rays' Jason Bartlett owns the highest OPS of any shortstop in the majors — not bad for a guy who loses weight so easily, he was down to just 179 pounds when last season ended.

"My metabolism is crazy," he says. "I lose it quick."

Bartlett says he felt weak at the end of the regular season and in the postseason. He worked hard to put on weight over the winter, drinking protein shakes after workouts and before he went to bed.

By spring training, he weighed 195 pounds, about 12 over his previous norm. Bartlett, who says he was "kind of scared" that he might be too big, then had to work on keeping his feet quick and his defense strong.

So far, so good in every aspect.

Bartlett ranks fourth among shortstops, up from 19th last season, according to the plus-minus ratings on Bill James Online.

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