The Indians remain in a highly competitive stance coming out of the 2018 season, particularly in an exceedingly weak overall American League Central division. After three-straight divisional titles, the organization still has one of the game’s best — and most affordable — core talent groups.
Still, there are plenty of needs on the roster and seemingly less resources to utilize to fulfill them. The club has in recent years both committed salary and dealt well-regarded prospects to supplement its fantastic bunch of stars.
Given this state of affairs, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney reports (Twitter link), the Indians “will listen to trade offers” involving key veteran players. He specifically cites top hurlers Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco, along with pricey veterans such as Edwin Encarnacion, Yan Gomes, and Jason Kipnis, as theoretical trade chips.
Importantly, and unsurprisingly, the club’s two still-youthful, amply controllable stars — Jose Ramirez and Francisco Lindor — will remain off limits. There’s certainly little reason for the Indians even to contemplate moves involving those players, whose contract rights are among the most valuable in the entire sport.
The most interesting element of this report, undoubtedly, is the possibility of the Indians offering up some of their top-flight pitching talent. Kluber and Carrasco are both excellent pitchers, but they are also signed to highly appealing contracts. The former, a perennial Cy Young contender, can be controlled through 2021 for as little as $30.5MM (though his 2020 and 2021 options can rise in value based upon his Cy placement). The latter, who’s also a top-10 starter over the past three seasons, will pitch for just $9.75MM next and little more in 2020 (his option, too, can be boosted based on the voting).
There’s no specific mention of righty Trevor Bauer, who emerged to take a place alongside his more-accomplished rotation mates. He’s just as plausible a candidate to be moved from an outside perspective, though, given that he’s down to two more years of arbitration control. Bauer is the most youthful of the three, but doesn’t figure to be an extension candidate given his stated preference never to agree to a multi-year deal. Still, he’s projected to earn a bargain $11.6MM for 2019 with one more arb year to go thereafter.
Any of these three pitchers would be hotly pursued this winter, because there just aren’t many alternatives. As our recent Market Snapshot series discussed, the trade market doesn’t seem to offer much in the way of high-end pitching– at least at affordable rates of pay. Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, and Madison Bumgarner do not appear particularly likely even to be discussed in trades. Zack Greinke is still good, but his remaining obligation of $95.5MM is more than it cost the Dodgers to retain Clayton Kershaw earlier today. Meanwhile, the free agent market has a few talented hurlers on offer, but that’ll entail long-term commitments and much greater financial risk.
For some organizations, the possibility of landing one of the Indians pitchers would be a dream scenario. Of course, there’s little question that the Cleveland organization will demand a princely sum. Given its near-term ambitions, far-away prospects likely won’t headline a deal. Instead, the Indians are sure to demand high-quality players that can step right into the lineup while also providing greater long-term value than the starters who’d be dealt. While the Indians may be willing to stake a bet on their ability to find good innings from within, at least sufficient to come out ahead of the divisional opponents, it’s hard to look past the fact that the American League features a few teams that have aggregated an awful lot of talent. Rolling the dice on other hurlers (Mike Clevinger, Shane Bieber, Adam Plutko, Danny Salazar) could be a viable strategy, but only if the Indians can secure young players they truly believe in with a swap.
As for the other players on the Indians roster that could be moved, it seems reasonable to suppose that cost-savings would be a leading motivator. Encarnacion can still swing the bat, but he wouldn’t command his remaining obligation ($25MM, including a 2021 option buyout) on the open market. Gomes rebounded with the bat in 2018, but is earning a relatively hefty $7MM, plus $2MM in buyouts on a pair of options ($9MM and $11MM, respectively) that seem unlikely to be exercised. (Fellow backstop Roberto Perez also receives mention from Olney, though he’s much cheaper and his control runs further into the future. He also struggled notably in 2018.) No doubt the club would like to find a taker for some of the $17MM still owed Kipnis ($2.5MM of which is in a buyout), but other organizations would only stake so much on a rebound. First baseman Yonder Alonso ($8MM salary plus $1MM buyout on 2020 option) would also seem a hypothetical possibility.
All things considered, there are quite a few fascinating possibilities to consider. Elite young position-player talent and/or cost savings seem clearly to be in mind here for the Indians. It may require a bit of a tightrope walk to pull things off, but the market situation seems generally favorable to the attempt.
Why???
I know. I am so shocked, great
players on there!!
They are listening and more than likely hold on to them unless they get a haul.
Well, ATL would definitely be interested. I’d think Kluber would be the type of guy you push your chips in on.
But what does ATL have to offer that’s MLB ready other than maybe Riley? Acuna isn’t getting touched, and CLE isn’t looking for more pitching. I would say ATL would be one of the worst trading partners in this scenario.
Chips?.. can you be more specific?..
The price on Kluber is gonna be so high that he’s almost not the type of guy you push your chips in on because it will not doubt be lopsided in favor of Cleveland with what it’d take
You can argue prospects aren’t guaranteed and all but there’s still a value to them and Kluber will take an overcompensation to account for the fact Indians have no real reason to move him
Basically what I’m saying is Kluber in the Indians will cost way more than if Kluber was on the Marlins or Tigers which makes him less appealing
Really? You must not watch or pay attention to them. Several of their top pitching prospects are on the door step of the majors and many for a taste this past season. There aren’t too many teams for Cleveland because not many will part with multiple players from their active roster. Atlanta White Sox’s San Diego Tampa Bay and Philadelphia have the prospects to get a deal done
It’s not so dumb – if there is a 3rd team that gets in on this. Cleveland needs talent now. Atlanta needs a front line pitcher. A 3rd team needs Atlanta’s prospects and has assets that Cleveland would like. Maybe a team like Texas who can put Gallo and others in. Or Arizona.
Potato chips.
They can keep Gallo, give me others.
Camargo and Inciarte could both be moved.
Seeing how the Braves have treated them like core players of late, i really doubt either will be moved. Seems more likely Riley or Swanson goes.
The Yankees would be crazy not to chase Kluber. Andujar and Clint Frazier would Star the conversation. Then the Yankees can sign Machado…
I kind of understand the thought process, but then again the first instinct of a contending team should be to keep all the proven contributors on the team and to give away the unknown (prospects) in exchange for more proven contributors. Unless they get guys like Soto and Beuhler in return (which is extremely unlikely) I don’t know what types of packages they are looking for.
The Indians are out of money.
With Brantley leaving they have 3 good hitters followed by question marks.
The Indians should cruise to an AL Central division championship in 2019. With little hitting they will again be out in the first round of the playoffs.
It makes sense for them to shop a starter and maybe someone else to get 3 solid (cheap) youngsters. Sounds like they’re floating Kluber to find his value. My guess is that they’re serious about moving Carasco. The elephant in the room is Lindor. He has refused pricy contract extensions. When he leaves…..well, they can afford to take a step back in a weak division they will win anyway in 2019 and load up on some young players.
The way it’s setting up, they get some decent prospects this winter. Trade Kluber in a year and Lindor in two. Hopefully by that time they’ll have developed a few starters and maybe a position player or two to merge with the prospects they trade for. Rebuild on the fly.
Smart move on their part to face reality.
They have a surplus of SP. deal from those strengths and get an impact bat or two. They would be automatic to win their division next year even if they do nothing but to win it all they need to get complimentary pieces to two of the best hitters in the game
Kluber isn’t a surplus. They don’t have too many Kluber’s. Without Bauer Kluber and Carrasco that team isn’t tough in October. I could understand a Shane Bieber or Mike Clevinger trade but that does nothing for salary relief.
Bieber/Clevinger obviously don’t have the record of Kluber, but you give them an opportunity and help the short-term (freeing up current-day dollars) and long-term (top prospects gained in a trade). Deal from a position of strength, though it would be interesting that they deal their greatest strength (Kluber).
they aren’t going to trade all of them.
Obviously they aren’t gojng to trade all of them but if you don’t have Kluber and Bauer heading your rotation what does Cleveland have? Thats their overwhelming strength.
I understand where you’re coming from but here’s my question: by surplus of SP do you mean trading away guys like Bieber or guys like Bauer? Because if it’s the former then I would agree with but if it’s the latter I would not.
Carrasco is an ace like pitcher who is a number 2 on this team. Bauer (who doesn’t want to sign a long term extension so it makes sense to move on from him) could be an ace like pitcher. Keep Bieber and Clev because they are still cheap and controllable. They have a top prospect who may debut soon in triston mckenzie. They can afford to deal one of Kluber, Carrasco or Bauer if they want to and they could get a serious haul for them
Oakland match up amazingly well with Kluber and/or Carrasco. Barreto, Mateo, Neuse, Holmes, Kaprelian, Murphy etc etc
I don’t think those are the types of guys CLE would be looking for though. I would think if it was a trade they would go after young offensive hitters that would directly be plugged into lineup: my guess would be outfielders. Thinking they would go after players like Dahl, Mazara, Bellinger, etc.
No way they get anyone close to that level of cheap star for their expensive stars. Doesn’t work like that. I’m sure Pinder and other MLB-level guys would be on the table, but im betting CLE is looking for AAA-ish/2020 guys, to which the A’s have plenty.
Remember the Brad Hand trade? Luzardo for Kluber and Carrasco who blinks?
You, my glorious friend, are insane.
Hehe well that last one is wishful thinking based on another “2 stars for 1 prospect” deal that happened already at least??? 🙂
Enjoy the padded walls.
Luzardo for Kluber? Who blinks? Cleveland every time.
Would love the Yankees to trade for Kluber but it’s gonna cost ALOT. Probably Andujar and many top prospects.
Guy is scheduled to make about $16.11MM/year for the next 3 years, if you pick up his 2 team options. Think about the savings you’d be getting by not paying for him on the FA market, and pay that in prospects. Honestly, is there anyone as durable as this guy except maybe Scherzer/Verlander?
I’d see Corbin and Gerrit Cole in pinstripes over the next 2 years, barring them acquiring Kluber.
Worth it though. Probably Andujar, Florial and Sheffield.
Uh oh, don’t bring reason into these threads!!! like 90% of Yankee fan trade proposals are going to be their absolute scrubs and guys with no place for Kluber. Andujar, Florial and Sheffield is a nice package, but I think they use that to get Realmuto, the #1 C in the game the last 4 years.
Yankees don’t need Realmuto. I’m not giving up on Sanchez after ONE down year. Sanchez higher upside is a lot higher than Realmuto.
Plus Sanchez short 16 and his 17 were better than JT.
Realmuto is easily the best catcher in the game. Sanchez is not even close
Sanchez is absolutely terrible and singlehandedly cost the Yankees the AL title this year. Replace him with Realmuto and they’re playing the Dodgers.
You don’t have a clue what your talking about. Injuries ,specifically the injury to judge cost the Yankees. They were 2 1/2 games out of first when Judge got hurt and had traded Tyler Austin and Billy McKinney for pitching and were forced to play Shane Robinson for 7 weeks. That being said they still might not have won the division had Judge not gotten hurt, Boston had a great year BUT Yamks had them 1&1 going home and couldn’t get it done. Blame the Manager for that debacle.
It’s pretty clear based on your replies you’re either a troll or someone who knows nothing about baseball. Sanchez 2016 and 2017 seasons are better than any season Realmuto had in his career. Sanchez has a higher ceiling than Realmuto.
You sure like to be wrong a lot JDGoat.
If you exclude pitch framing/base running sure.
Exactly. Players like Realmuto come along ALL the time. Players like Sanchez come once a generation.
How about Carlos Martinez from the Cardinals who is only 27 and has 5 yrs left on his deal including two option years for an AAV of 14m.? That is way better than Kluber who is 32.
We will take Andujar, Sheffield, and Florial and call it a day!
Andujar ain’t going anywhere
Good. Cleveland doesn’t want his terrible defense
Andujar as the headliner.. A trade wouldn’t be many.. perhaps another top 15 in the Yankees system and/or the inclusion of some salary going back to the Yankees..
Pretty good starting point..
Carrasco for Andujar 1 on 1 doesn’t sound bad
Nope
Andujar is the worst defensive 3B in the game, most likely a LF or 1B moving forward, where his bat doesn’t play as well. I see Sanchez+Andujar for Realmuto happening.
Andujar isn’t that bad defensively, at least not as bad as people though he would be. He needs to make some improvement not doubt but he can be an average defender if he gets hit throwing motion down
LOL. Put down the drugs man. Sanchez AND Andujar for Realmuto. That is a absolute joke.
Lol “this guys defense sucks, the indians will want him”
pads could match up well with the Indians. SD needs a SP and have a surplus of OFers
A nearly 33 year old Kluber doesn’t match with the Padres long term strategy whatsoever.
He didn’t say Kluber, but Bieber definitely fits the bill. Clevinger and Bauer fit as well.
I haven’t kept up with the Padres situation but aren’t they under a roster crunch and have to clear some 40 man slots before the rule 5 draft? If so it may make some sense to trade from the outfield surplus if they think that Kluber could help them contend in 2020 and mentor a young staff.
I think the Padres would still want Kluber with the idea of competing in 2020. He should have a more graceful regression in skills than most pitchers based on stuff and command.
I’d love to see the Brewers in on this, but I can’t see them coming up with a good enough package.
Wow. If the Indians sell off, who is going to win the AL Central? Is it possible the winner of that division could be under .500 in 2019?
You realize they would be trading from depth for positions that are lean right? They have solid SP to step up and fill the void but would add much needed offense. End results would be offset.
The Indians don’t have that much surplus pitching. They have 5 starters. Salazar is likely headed for the BP because of injury history. Then they have McKenzie in AAA. That’s not a position where they’re 10 deep. They have 5 very good starters but they don’t have 9-10 of them.
While they don’t have 9-10 starters, they do have more than you mentioned. Salazar will be stretched out as a starter, but could very well end up in the bullpen as you stated. McKenzie is on his way and will likely be in Cleveland by mid summer. They also have plutko who held his own last year and had a few dominate starts, Cody Anderson who will be stretched out as a started after returning from TJ but could also wind up in the bullpen, post season hero Ryan Merritt though he would need to be added to the 40 man, and they could very well bring back Tomlin or a buy low candidate if they trade a starter.
They aren’t going to trade the top 3 or likely even two starters, but trading one does make sense as stated above by Polish Hammer.
Salazar is not going to the bullpen no matter how many times you see fans suggest it. They suggest it because they think it will be less taxing on his arm, they couldn’t be more wrong. Going every 6th night and knowing it is much better than warming up 4 or 5 times every 6 nights and pitching an uncertain amount of innings. That is Franconas belief and Salazar has little desire to be a reliever, so don’t hold your breath on that one. That said, take a SP away and they still have enough good arms for a very good rotation.
Kluber and Kipnis for Newcomb, Gohara, Riley and Duvall. The Braves don’t necessarily need Kipnis, but taking his overpriced contract should help lower the asking price on Kluber (which also nets the Indians more financial flexibility). To be honest I wouldn’t know EXACTLY what it would take, but I’d think this would get discussions going.
The Indians with an actual left handed starter? Dang, been forever since that’s happened. And no, I don’t count Ryan Merritt.
CupCake Sabathia and Cliff Lee were probably their last of substance.
I think Cleveland understands that if they’re trading away Kluber it’s going to be for impact talent. They aren’t going to leverage one of the best players in baseball with a bad contract to minimize the return.
My inclusion of Kipnis was because it is arguably the worst contract on the team currently. If the desired goal is to free up payroll space then this trade would certainly do that while bringing back controllable major league talent (many expect that Riley will be in the majors by May).
The Indians could slot Newcomb directly into the rotation. Gohara (who had a lost season after his dad literally died in his arms and his mother almost died) could start or relieve. Both have several years of control left and are cheap.
Riley has reportedly developed into a league average or better defender at third (with enough athleticism to move to a corner outfield spot) while also having solid power. Duvall is a gold glove caliber defender that while coming off his worst year has power and multiple years of control left.
While probably not a perfect match,it checks a lot of boxes off the wishlist for the Indians. With the added quality pitching flexibility it gives them pieces to facilitate another deal if so desired without interfering with their core more.
Think of their goals as extend their window while remodeling in place (instead of a teardown type rebuild). They definitely want guys that are cheap, controllable and at least somewhat proven.
Its a good question if cleveland values kipnis or flexibility more. I’m honestly not sure, he still seems to be an important leader on the team.
Cleveland would move kip tomorrow if they could clear all that salary. That’s their biggest constraint.
If there is a team in the AL Central looking to displace a potentially vulnerable division winner, 2019 would be the year (looking at you, Twins and White Sox).
Cleveland is in a position where they know they need a little more to win and don’t have the cash to make the final push. They’d be the perfect team to take a run at Bryce Harper if they had the deep pockets to do so.
Detroit has a pretty good chance too with a bit of luck. I still think they are a dark horse for Machado. If they can get Miggy back healthy and at even 90% of his former self and find a few bargains on the FA heap, they could be really good in a weak division.
Detroit isn’t getting Machado, they’ve dealt Verlander, Upton, Martinez within the last 2 years. If they are trying to compete they wouldn’t have dealt those guys. Adding Machado would be stupid for Machado, he wants money but he wants to win as well and Detroit wasn’t close to anything like that this year
It’s only stupid for a team in a strong division to switch so quickly. But if literally every other team in the division is rebuilding, it’s not so dumb. They have the money and Machado would be a pretty good guy to build around. Plus they could offer him the SS position that he covets unlike many other teams. They are already paying Miggy a lot of money for the next 5 years. Why waste it with a complete rebuild when a “reloading” makes so much more sense, especially in such a weak division.
I can’t imagine Machado is going to find Detroit an appealing destination to spend the next 8-10 years of his life, especially as that roster currently exists
Mike Clevinger is going to Atlanta.
No, he’s not.
I like the guy, but we need a headliner – he is not a headliner right now. If people were connecting Greinke to ATL, they should be doing the same with Kluber as he is much cheaper and 3 years younger (I believe).
Why? He’s our most controllable arm and will probably be our ace by 2020. There isn’t a single player on the Braves roster I’d trade Clev for.
Not a single player? Jeez, have you seen Acuna? Freddie Freeman?
Clevinger will not be traded. Did you read this article? Cleveland is looking for young MLB controllable hitters, Trading a cost controlled pitcher makes no sense.
It takes courage to admit you’re not good enough, sell, retool.
Get younger too
Or admit the system is flawed; you could either have a huge checkbook or tank it and roll the dice hoping you hit it big in that small window of opportunity.
It has to happen sooner or later.
Francona is a genius but three years of almost got it is not enough.
Dodgers, angels, braves, phillies should all look into aquiring these arms asap.
There’s literally no reason for the dodgers to go after them “asap”
After that poor performance in world series i’d say yes. Kluber would be an upgrade over having kershaw start game 1’s he also fits dodgers window. Trade wood, puig and toles for better bullpen arms. Give verdugo a chance in right or left.
Well, if Kluber is available, so is Bauer…because Bauer has one less year of team control, and will get big money in arbitration (because he put up big numbers).
So here’s a swap for the ages: Severino, Clint Frazier, Sheffield and Sonny Gray (Yankees pick up his salary), for Kluber and Bauer. Indians shed about $70M of salary in the next three years, and still get more than enough quality major leaguers to keep comfortably winning the AL Central.
Meanwhile, the Yankees get better, and, just as importantly, more balanced….meaning that they no longer have to approach the free agent market as a team that MUST SIGN CORBIN, even if it means over-paying. They can look for the best deals, wherever they may be. If it’s Corbin, great. If it’s Machado who can’t get the mega contract he’s hoping for, and will settle for 7 years, $210M, also great.
Yankees fans would riot if Severino was traded for anyone. He’s cheap too, and the Yankees love to spend money, so he’s even more valuable to them being elite for cheap as they try and add elite talent via money. Try again.
The Yankees wouldn’t trade a young Severino, who has great upside for a 33 year old Kluber who will be too old for this young team within the next 5 years. The Yankees are building a young team adding a 33 year old Ace would be stupid as hell when you have a young 20 something year old Severino who can pitch like that when he’s in the zone
So the Indians trade two aces for:
-a starter prone to meltdowns
-an outfielder with a concerning concussion history
-a AAA prospect with good stuff but also has control problems
-an almost worthless starter
Sounds pretty one-sided
The common theme here is that most non-Cleveland fans anticipate the Indians are so desperate financially they’ll take back .40 cents on the dollar just to save money.
Indians already had Frazier and Sheffield. They were traded for a reason. Turned out to be wise trades. Why would they want them back?
They traded from depth for an immediate need which worked out very well. Returning them wouldn’t be a bad idea.
I think if Frazier stays healthy, he is going to be very good…not sure about Sheff…but he did well at AAA just have to work on the walks, but he will be at least a guy who spot starts or a good pen arm.
The Indians have listened to offers on their starters in the past. The Giants tried to acquire Carrasco a few years ago but the price was too high.
Was it really too high though? Carrasco has been a top 10 pitcher for the last 3 years.
I bet the Giants wish they would have ponied up
Kluber and Realmuto to the Astros.
Uh yeah nooooooo. To get to where Cleveland wants to be they need to get through Houston, so I doubt they find them as a trading partner.
From the Rays: Willie Adames SS
Jesus Sanchez OF
Tyler Glassnow P
Nick Ciuffo C
To the Rays: Clevinger
Kipnis
Gomes
Tribe saves 22M next year…..get two Top 10 prospects from a top-rated system……Glassnow is ready now, so likely Ciuffo…….
The Indians have a pretty good shortstop you may have heard of before…
Adames looks to be a great player but shortstop is far from a need right now or in the near future.
…thinking Adames (who has throwing issues, and has had them since he signed) might be better off @2b, with JR moving to 3B…..
Rays fans will probably yell, but I think Clevinger’s upside is huge, and they have salary room to spare….you could make the case that Snell/Clevinger is as good as it gets, all things (age) considered…add in Yarborough and others (Chineros) and they can be dominant…..
Also counting on a comeback year for Kip; he’s really not as bad as he showed, contract year, etc. Would fit as a DH you can move around….and they have 2020 projectable replacements when he leaves……
You say Clevinger’s upside is huge? Glasnow is 6’8 throwing 98+ with a breaking ball from the underworld.
I don’t see one single reason that would motivate Tampa to even consider this. They get older, more expensive, less dynamic.. there’s just not one compelling reason to do this
Glassnow=Clevenger….yeah……everybody knows that…
In truth, it’s the Indians who wouldn’t do it…..a bunch of maybe-s and could be-s for a pitcher who can dominate, and carries 4 more years of controllability, an OF/IF who figures to have every motivation to have a big year, and one of the more solid catchers around, in a world where almost nobody has a catcher….
There’s some solid youth in Tampa….of course, there’s some solid youth in Boston, New York and Toronto…..Rays fans tend to neglect how young the Sox are, how young (with more coming) the Yanks are, and the Blue Jays’ top 5 rated system….so they’re not winning the “youth” war…..other teams have farm systems too…..or, in the Sox case, a system that’s yielded a WS champion ALREADY…..
The paradigm for the Rays is really Brendon McKay….nice prospect, McKay, some definite upside…but the player selected immediately after McKay, Kyle Wright, is ALREADY in the majors, ALREADY pitching in a playoff atmosphere, and has a similar upside….in other words, Rays lost that one…..
I’m not gonna exhaust my sanity to parse through all this (why is Kipnis more ‘motivated’ than any other player to perform? He already has his money, I’d make the argument that the inverse is true), but suffice to say Tampa is in a pretty enviable position. They can pitch, they can hit, they can defend. Their 40 man roster is full of above replacement level players with options, their minor league system is promising at every level. Wander Franco and Vidal Brujan look like legitimate impact talents. They’re positioned extremely well, and they aren’t going to take on decline phase players (Kipnis/Gomes) and simultaneously trade away a bunch of viable young talent in the process.
Don’t exhaust your sanity on my account. I bear no responsibility. You think Glassnow = Clevinger. That just about wraps it.
They need help today, not prospects that need some aging. Besides, if you haven’t noticed they have an ok shortstop.
Again the Indians are looking for cost controlled players – not trading one. Clevinger will not be traded.
Step 1 was collusion last year.
Step 2 teams announce they’re willing to trade their vets.
Step 3 wait out the players.
Step 1 say something stupid on the internet
Step 2 get attention
Step 3 don’t take medication
Seems to me that the Indians may force a team to take Kipnis or Encarnacion in a deal for one of their pitchers. Money IS a factor for them.
I absolutely agree with this statement.
Carrasco and Kipnis to the Padres for Myers and Lauer.
Lauer a good old Kent State kid coming home
Not with that ridiculous contract that Myers has
Lauer stinks.
Yeah a rookie pitching for a bad team, he should’ve won 20 games and put up. Kershaw like numbers…
I don’t see how this would help either team. Cleveland is trying to clear payroll (Myers doesn’t achieve that goal). Padres are looming for controllable front of the rotation pitching and Carrasco only has two years left.
My proposal would be Renfroe/Reyes, Yates, Naylor, and Quantrill for Kluber. I think even that might not be enough. Maybe add Austin Allen and Craig Stammen for a lottery ticket from Cleveland.
Nothing says lottery ticket like a 34 year old right handed reliever with major surgeries already
Learn how to read. He said Stammen for a lottery ticket from Cleveland.
I’ll go ahead and add the Reds to this list. They have a third baseman in Senzel that would make it possible for them to trade Suarez. At $61 million over the next six years, he’s a bargain. Indians may also want to look at Jesse Winked, since he’s two years away from arbitration.
I realize that Kluber is a true ace, but his arm has accumulated well over 1000 innings since 2014. Durable, yes, but for how long?
The Reds are actually an interesting dark horse
Mike Clevinger and Shane Beiber for Renfroe, Yates, Stammen, Margot, Nix
Padres get 40 man spots, get cordero and Reyes more playing time. Pick up two mlb ready pitchers.
Indians get two OFs a CF and RF. Get two pen pieces. And a controllable arm to replace 1 starter.
Never happen, especially Bieber.
As much as I would love the Padres to get him, I don’t think Cleveland would move Bieber for anything short of a star with controllable years.
Great trade for the Padres
Clevinger and Bieber will not be traded. A market like Cleveland can not afford to trade cost controlled pitchers.
Gomes would be interesting for Atlanta if they strike out on Realmuto. He could be controlled right up to about the time Contreras is expected.
Kluber would be great for Atlanta and I would sign up for him over any other starter available but at the end of the day what does Cleveland want for him ? All the Braves position prospects are a ways away. If they are looking for more immediate help I don’t see the Braves being a fit to get Kluber.
I have zero faith in the Indians front office. They don’t even extend Brantley a QO which is baffling considering he was our single respectable outfielder last year. This team has talent but year after year the front office comes up short in filling gaping holes.
For $18mil on a tight budget team his production was nice but not exponentially better than they could get with a younger/cheaper fill in. He was a nice risk at $10mil, but had he limped out with an injury every Monday morning GM would’ve been saying how that cheap front office was dump and wasted money.
And they’ve said they are going to talk with Brantley still. If he accepts the QO and plays in 70 games, the Indians are in major trouble. Better off searching for a cheaper LF until one of the kids are ready
Based on what he been written, they are worried about him taking it. I like him but do not think he is worth 28 mil, even in the state of our outfield. If he doesn’t take it, I have read projected offers well below the require 50mil in order to get the pick. I think they are taking these into account.
Sorry 18 mil
I like this idea. Creative approach to get a few players that are ready to play and make an immediate impact. They must think they have seen enough from Bieber that he can hold the 3rd spot. They do have the depth for the 4th and 5th spots, especially with McKenzie getting closer. I would imagine they could focus in on an outfielder and maybe even have someone take the Kipnis contract too boot. And if they don’t find anything they like they keep the best rotation in baseball intact.
Really hope the Yanks get Carrasco or Kluber but if your the Indians, it is smarter to move one or both to a national league team…i think the Braves Cubs and Cards make the most sense from their stand point. But if I GMing the Yanks I roll the dice big and go. Clint Frazier, Glyber Torres or Miguel Andujar to Cleveland for one of those starters. Then use cash to recoup that talent in free agency.
Indians seem to have that knack for the rolling rebuild.
MLB makes it tough. You can blow it all up, tank it and hope you win a series while that window opens and closes…or you can have a big budget and constantly roll the payroll and stay competitive year after year. A team like Cleveland missteps on a big contract and they’re screwed, while one of the big markets can eat the $$ and move on.
It would be much tougher if they were in the AL east.
Mlb really needs to scrap the divisions and have all teams face all AL opponents the same amount.
Yes I realize this may require less games in the schedule but the Orioles, Jays and Rays have been at a distinct disadvantage for over two decades now more so than any other team except for the 3 smaller market teams in the NL West.
A Kluber trade would rival what the Sox did with getting Sale a few years ago and he’s exactly what’s needed. It would be a move that guys the farm and puts the Yankees in win now mode and it’s exactly what they need to do. Deal Florial and more, whatever it takes without dealing Gleyber (and hopefully Sheffield). If they could pull off a Kluber trade and sign Corbin and Happ then wow. Kluber, Severino, Corbin, Tanaka, Happ, Sheffield. Wow
All I can say if the Braves went to the Indians and said they would include Newcomb in a package deal for one of their starters I believe they would move straight to the front of the line.
But saying that do not lose site of the fact that the needs of this team is a plus Offensive corner outfielder or 1st baseman type player maybe a young stud type relief pitcher also.
This team will not be looking for prospects Clevgr most like will not be dealt I see 1 of Kluber , Carrasco or Bauer being dealt . If at all possible they will move Edwin , Kipnis and Alonzo , They will only deal Gomes imo if they are totally blown away .with a crazy offer.
It is possible that the Indians move Chang to either second base or third and he starts the season in the big league depending on where Ramirez decides he wants to play.
Not moving Gomes since Mejia has been dealt. No way on earth they turn the catching duties over to Perez and a backup.
Chang could definitely play third or maybe second, but I think they will go with Ramirez at second and Diaz at third.
As an Indians fan, I have to say that this is an amusing thread. It is remarkable the number of people who are arguing that the Indians will trade one of the top starters in the league for comparatively little.
A couple things:
The Indians are going to ask for a TON. If they don’t get it, they will go into the season with the same rotation but with a terrible outfield and a rebuilding bullpen. We will win the central anyway and hopefully pick up some good pieces during the season. They WON’T trade one of their top pitchers for nothing.
They won’t trade controllable pieces unless they get at S#!T TON. What ever you are thinking for Bieber or Clevenger, add one of your top five prospects…..and maybe more. If they don’t get what they want…..oh, well.
No way in hell are they trading TWO of our starting pitchers….unless we get back something that will guarantee the playoffs for years to come. Probably ain’t happening.
When the White Sox traded Sale, they got a top ten in baseball prospect, a top 100 prospect, a player who hit Hi A as a 19 year old and a good looking bullpen prospect. The Indians won’t be looking for exactly that, but they will be looking for a similar haul in terms of overall talent. We need controllable outfielders and relief pitchers. Casting about and hoping….I would love to see Verdugo or Robles on the Indians. Either would be a great centerpiece of the trade, but neither would be enough on their own.
My guess is the Indians will ask for a top rookie or one year of MLB experience outfielder or starter, a significant bullpen piece, a starter prospect in a team’s top ten, and a potential bench player for one of our starters. Will they get that? I don’t know, but given the fact that they appear to be exploring the market, it is a good place to start.
Further, given the market, why wouldn’t they get something similar to what the White Sox got for Sale?
Good points, NorCal. I looked up Kluber and Carrasco and Kluber is #1 in pitching WAR from 2014-2018, Carrasco is 7th right behind Verlander and his $28mil. Kluber set to earn around $15mil for each of the next 3 seasons. Guessing he’s worth every bit of double that. Carrasco making a little under $10mil per this article with another option. Say he’s worth $25mil/yr to be safe. We’re looking at $140mil worth for contracts between the two controlled for half of that. I agree, I can’t imagine the haul for even one. We would need to get some cash back, too, I think.
The more I think about this the more I believe a Kluber trade makes sense, as long as we get at least a Sale-level haul in return. Kluber has a higher WAR in the past five years than Sale did in the last five years of his White Sox tenure. Kluber also has two Cy Youngs – but he is also significantly older than Sale was (five years.) I suspect the Indians are going to try to pair Kluber with either Encarnacion (to Houston) or Kipnis (to the Dodgers, Yankees or Nationals) then ask for at least what the White Sox got for Sale. They may ask for more, given the market for top-notch starters. We should end up with at least to top 100 prospects and two other interesting players, plus decrease our payroll significantly. I think they will spend some of that savings on bullpen arms and an outfielder, all on one year deals.
Is Yan Gomes considered a “pricey veteran” at $7.0m. He is a near Gold Glove level talent. Isn’t his salary below 1 WAR?