Indians Trade Talk: Time For Tribe To Make A Splash

It’s time for Cleveland Indians trade talk after seeing this club lose to the worst team in baseball on national television. The bats went quiet–again, and that has Factory of Sadness Voice of the Fan Ric McElroy thinking it’s time for a the Tribe to make a major trade.

Watching the inept offense of the Cleveland Indians on national TV is too much to take. I can understand the emptiness of the seats at Progressive Field. Believe me, it wasn’t all about the weather!

Minnesota is a bad team and yet the Indians tried to make them look good. This Twins team has played 20 road contests and picked up only their third win of the year away from the Twin cities. In twenty road games they have played this season,

Our supposed No. 1 pitcher Corey Kluber, was dealt his fifth loss of this early season after allowing four earned runs. He now has a 4.30 ERA. For two straight outings in a row, Kluber lost to teams an ace would’ve beat (Houston and the Twins).

Not sure if something is wrong with Corey Kluber, but he hasn’t returned to his 2014 self! Signed the big contract but his record has shown regression.

But back to the bats. The power shortage is on in Progressive Field. Yan Gomes‘ ninth-inning homer was virtually meaningless! They were four runs behind at the time and, of course, the bases were empty.

Let’s face it, the patch work outfield isn’t working and with Michael Brantley gone now for who knows how long and the bullpen in a shambles, run production is of the utmost importance.

The time has come for this franchise to realize it’s time to go get a face of this team. Tired of hearing excuses of money and building through the draft that never happens with their bad drafting and sad free-agent choices!

The Angels are having trouble and realizing that what they have isn’t working and talk of possibily trading Mike Trout has surfaced. Yes he makes a lot of money (he’s owed approximately $138 million between now and 2020), but would he not look good in a Tribe uniform?

Just imagine. A real superstar in a Cleveland Indians lineup. In his prime! Not someone on the last legs of their career or coming back from a serious injury.

It would cost the Tribe dearly, and not just financially. The Angels farm system is a mess. They wouldn’t want Rajai Davis and Marlon Byrd. They need youth and the Indians do have assets.

Since Trout plays center field, they could trade Tyler Naquin. A young pitcher like Trevor Bauer or Josh Tomlin, or perhaps a better minor league pitcher from Akron or Class A ball would also likely be involved.

Maybe Yandi Diaz and Jesus Aguliar or any combination of them. Yes the Angels would ask for the moon, but they need to replenish their minor league teams–and Trout would yield their biggest return.

More from Factory of Sadness

But forget players, the other side of this to consider is that the Dolans would have to pay one player over $34 million a year in the final three years of his contract. I think we might have a better chance of getting a contract with the Indians than this becoming a reality.

So if this doesn’t work, how about a trade for Ryan Braun of the Brewers or Carlos Gonzalez of the Rockies? They would cost less in the way of players in a trade.

I’m not exactly thrilled with Braun but his power and RBIs are better than what this franchise trots out every game. He’s currently slashing .367/.434/.586 with seven homers and 27 RBIs with a 1.027 OPS. Could you imagine the Tribe’s lineup with that bat in the middle of the order?

Braun is 32, and while he’d be cheaper than Trout, he would still require a heavy investment from the Dolans. He’s owed $91 million between now and 2020. He has a $15 million mutual option for 2021.

Gonzalez, 30, is a two time All Star that doesn’t get a lot of attention because of the poor Rockies teams he’s been a part of. But he hit 40 homers last year and would also energize the Tribe’s lineup. He’s making $17 million this season, and $20 million in 2017. He can be a free agent in 2018. Not sure how much the Tribe would be willing to part with for 1 1/2 years of Car-Go.

Next: Not Trading For Todd Frazier Was The Right Move

These are some big names, with big dollar amounts. But isn’t it time for the Indians to make a splash. Otherwise, we’ll be like the hamster running in the cage, trying to stay over that .500 hump–instead of finally winning this franchise’s first World Series since 1948.

Home/Cleveland Guardians

Cleveland Indians Trade Talk: Time For Tribe To Make A Splash

By Ric McElroy | May 15, 2016

It’s time for Cleveland Indians trade talk after seeing this club lose to the worst team in baseball on national television. The bats went quiet–again, and that has Factory of Sadness Voice of the Fan Ric McElroy thinking it’s time for a the Tribe to make a major trade.

More from Factory of Sadness