Hello Tribe fans everywhere!

So, I go on vacation for a week and what happens? The Indians fall into second place, that's what! We took in last Monday's game against the Phillies at Jacobs Field, and the Tribe scored a splendid 10-1 victory. Unfortunately, the club barely equaled that offensive output during the rest of the week.

Cleveland is now 10-12 during June, and the club's offense has been pathetic in recent days. The Indians were fortunate to salvage one win against the lowly Washington Nationals over the weekend.

With David Dellucci out for the next couple of months, the Indians must be thinking seriously about a trade. Coincidentally, the Nationals let it be known that talented young third baseman Ryan Zimmerman might be available for the right price.

I'd look very seriously at this if I were Indians GM Mark Shapiro. If the Indians could acquire Zimmerman, who jumped to the majors in 2005 after just 67 minor league games, it would afford them some badly needed flexibility in the lineup. Zimmerman, who batted .287 last year, with 20 homers and 110 RBIs, is hitting only .247 this seaso, but everyone raves about the 23-year-old kid's potential. The Nationals have no hitter this season to provide protection for the youngster.

If Cleveland could put Zimmerman at third, it would free up Casey Blake to play the outfield or first base. Watching Kelly Shoppach in recent days convinces me the Indians must find a way to get more playing time for him. The solution, I believe, would be to move Victor Martinez to first base on a more regular basis. Blake could also fill in at first when Martinez catches.

So, where does that leave Ryan Garko, you might ask? Well, as much as I like Garko, I think the Indians could package him with other players to get Zimmerman. Andy Marte could also be part of the package, as I am coming to believe that the Indians are convinced Marte might never hit well enough to last at the big-league level. Realistically, the Indians would probably have to part with one of their good young pitchers or at least an outfielder. They must not trade either Jeremy Sowers or Adam Miller, however. They'll need those guys after C.C. Sabathia departs following the 2008 season.

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Today's quickie quiz: Name the Cleveland Indian player who collected his 3,000th hit on June 30, 1995.

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-- Kevin Cuneo