Chris Denorfia

Outfielder Chris Denorfia, who started last season with San Diego and finished it with Seattle, is a free agent the Indians have shown some interest in this offseason.

(Pat Sullivan/Associated Press)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It's true the Indians made a few inquiries about Chase Headley, but the third baseman is not coming to Cleveland.

He's too expensive and the Indians still have a feeling that they just might have a third baseman in Lonnie Chisenhall.

The Indians are not going to be big players in this free agent market. They are going to work the edges and wait to see what's left when the market settles in late December and January.

It could lead them to outfielder Chris Denorfia or DH-first baseman Kendrys Morales, two of the free agents they've contacted this offseason.

Denorfia, 34, is a right-handed hitting outfielder that split last season between San Diego and Seattle. He hit .230 (76-for-330) with three homers and 36 RBI.

He is a career .290 (240-for-919) hitter against lefties although he hit just .220 against them this year.

Denorfia plays all three outfield positions. Last season the .272 lifetime hitter spent most of his time in right field.

He could be a platoon partner with David Murphy in right field. Right now Ryan Raburn, coming off left knee surgery and a down season, has that job. The Indians owe Raburn $2.5 million for the 2015 season.

Denorfia made $2.25 million last year.

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Morales could be an option if the Indians trade Nick Swisher or he isn't ready for the regular season after undergoing surgery on both knees in August. The Indians went into the winter looking for insurance at the corner positions in case Swisher or Raburn weren't fully recovered from surgery.

After the 2013 with Seattle, Morales filed for free agency. The Mariners offered him a $13.1 million qualifying offer, but he rejected it. Morales went unsigned until the Twins signed him to a one-year deal on June 8. By waiting until after the draft to sign the switch-hitter, the Twins did not lose a high draft pick.

Morales, 32, hit only .234 (36-for-154) with one homer for the Twins before he was traded back to Seattle. He just hit .207 (44-for-213) with seven homers in 59 games for Seattle.

The Indians have liked Morales since he defected from Cuba and signed with the Angels in 2006.

Morales made a prorated $12 million this year.

Headley, like Denorfia and Morales, played for two teams in 2014. He opened with the Padres, the team he broke into the big leagues with in 2007. The Padres shipped him to the Yankees in July where he hit .262 (50-for-191) with six homers and 17 RBI.

The switch-hitting Headley made $10.525 million last season. The Yankees are considering re-signing him.