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Cleveland Indians Needs To Add Player(s) In Any Potential Nick Swisher Trade

By Ryan Rosko

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Prior to Nick Swisher playing his first game with the Cleveland Indians, there was plenty of excitement because of what he could bring to the organization. Given the contract he was signed to, Swisher needed to do well, but we all know how his career in Cleveland has played out so far. His contract definitely was a miss by the team.

He nearly was dealt to Atlanta, but the trade fell apart because of the lack of production and the amount of money that is still owed to him. The proposed trade to Atlanta was a straight up one for one deal. Regardless of how the team goes about trade options for Swisher, it is going to be tough to trade him.

Related: Cleveland Indians Trade Rumors: Tribe Tried to Trade Nick Swisher For Chris Johnson

In order for the Tribe to trade Swisher, the team will have to add other talented players in trade packages to give any trade a realistic chance of happening. Swisher also has had many injuries since coming to the Tribe. He has had limited success not just this year but every year. Any team that would trade for him would likely want another player(s) with potential.

Kelly Johnson, the player the Indians almost acquired in return for Swisher is probably the most successful type of player they could get. Johnson is a solid player, but if Cleveland gives up someone of  good value from the minor leagues, preferably someone more accomplished should be sent back to Cleveland.

The only way I could see something like that occurring is if Cleveland was involved in a trade similar to the one Miami and Toronto made with pitcher Mark Buehrle being dealt to Toronto.

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Let’s say Cleveland cannot get a team to trade for Swisher and one or two lower level prospects. If that happens, another trade option that should be heavily considered in trade packages is third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall. He has had his chances to be the Tribe’s guy at the hot corner, but it has yet to work out.

He has played other positions in the minors to potentially boost his value with Cleveland or for other teams. Rookie Giovanny Urshela has shown early what he can do at the position and the potential he has is very bright.

Chisenhall does not have the market value like he did a few years ago when the Chicago Cubs wanted him in return for pitcher Matt Garza.

Of course Swisher is not the only bad contract currently on the team’s roster. Michael Bourn is set to make $13.5 million this year, $14 million next season, and he can make $12 million in 2017. The $12 million in 2017 is a vesting option and is guaranteed only if Bourn reaches 550 plate appearances in 2016.

The thought of the Indians being a buyer by the trade deadline is nice, but it is unlikely. Cleveland should not be sellers either and the effort to try to trade Swisher should not let up. If something happens and a trade does work out, they would be winners because Swisher has only played 30 games this season and the team gets out of his contract. Assuming that a trade can happen, who knows who Cleveland could get, but it will be an improvement.

Next: Cleveland Indians: All-Star Break Awards

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