Cleveland is among "3-4 teams" with an interest in free agent designated hitter Travis Hafner, Nick Camino of WTAM Newsradio reported Monday.
Hafner, 35, hit .228/.346/.438 (121 OPS+) with 12 home runs in 66 games for Cleveland last season. But meniscus surgery and a bulging disc in his back combined to keep him on the disabled list for 85 days. In 2011, he made multiple DL trips for foot and abdomen strains, and 2010 saw a DL stint for shoulder inflammation.
Cleveland is without an obvious option at designated hitter, with choices ranging from Rule 5 pick Chris McGuiness to busted top prospect Matt LaPorta. Hafner earned $13 million in the last year of a four-year, $57-million contract last season, but his constant injuries will likely lead to a reduced rate on a one- or two-year contract.
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