Cleveland Indians: Are There Really Any Untouchables?

By Ryan Rosko | Jul 28, 2015

Whether or not the Cleveland Indians make a trade(s) will be known by Friday afternoon. Given that the Tribe has lost five straight games and are in last place, being 15 games back in their division does not help their situation. Should the Tribe really make a trade? Are there really any untouchables on Cleveland’s roster? I do not believe so, and there should not be.

A trade for a team that is struggling this bad will give no benefit for the rest of the season. Sure, they could trade one or more players, and like other teams in MLB, they are talking trade, but Cleveland needs help in more than one area. If the Indians dealt one of their outfielders like Ryan Raburn, the likely return would be a minor leaguer.

That does not help the big league team now and if the thought is for 2016, options will present itself later after the season when players become free agents. In spring training next year, there will also be players, both minor leaguers and veterans who could help the team next season and beyond.

More from Cleveland Guardians

With how Cleveland is constructed, the best way to gain great talent is homegrown via the minor leagues. Some players may have higher trade value than others, which likely would mean the team keeps those types of players. I would prefer not trade players like Corey Kluber, Michael Brantley, and Jason Kipnis, but I agree with Cleveland listening to other teams, regardless of who the player of interest is.

If there was a trade offer that would be too good to pass up, the consideration has to happen. All three aforementioned players are signed to solid multi-year deals, are all-stars, and is the best of Cleveland’s core going froward. Cleveland would never know what is out there for a trade on those players or any others, so they are doing the right thing.

Just because a player is part of a team’s nucleus and likely will never be dealt, does not mean the occasional what if scenario does not happen. Ever player has a trade value, so each one of them also has price. Isn’t a trade price and value the same? Yes it can be, but with sports trades those terms can be separated.

An ace pitcher on a team may have a trade value of three or four likely top level prospects, with maybe one of those as a guy already on the 25 man roster. If a team feels they need to make a trade involving an ace pitcher but the pitcher may be older, has struggled, or coming off of an injury, he may only be dealt realistically for two or three talented minor leaguers.

A player may be a face of the franchise, but in the sports world of 2015, anyone could be traded. I understand he had injuries, but did you ever expect or imagine the Indianapolis Colts trading Peyton Manning a few years ago? That answer is likely no.

Cleveland does do its diligence, but they do not always make a trade. That is not a bad thing, as we see future potential star players on Cleveland’s roster now in rookies Francisco Lindor, Giovanny Urshela, and other talented younger veterans, but it would be nice to see the team trades more often.

Next: Cleveland Indians Interested In Brewers CF Carlos Gomez

More from Factory of Sadness

Home/Cleveland Guardians