Indians Trade Rumors: Aroldis Chapman, Bradley Zimmer, Justus Sheffield, Triston McKenzie, Yu-Chen Chang
In Cleveland Indians trade rumors, Sunday saw Tribe trade rumors heat up around Aroldis Chapman, but by evening, it appeared the Cuban Missile’s trajectory was headed for Chicago.
A lot of rumors surfacing surrounding Aroldis Chapman involved the Yankees sending the left-handed reliever to the Cubs for one of Chicago’s top prospect, shortstop Gleyber Torres.
A deal appeared to be reached when Torres was scratched from his minor-league game just 20 minutes before the first pitch. However, he was seen around the dugout as the Yankees and Cubs were reportedly trying to finish the trade.
As it stands right now, nothing has happened yet. Perhaps the Yanks and Cubs have hit a snag?
• As the Indians were getting swept on by the Orioles in Camden Yards, it was reported the the Indians had the best offer on the table for Chapman.
The Yankees clearly want a shortstop if it means moving Chapman, as the team attempts to fill the void left behind by Derek Jeter.
New York has talked with the Tribe about Class A shortstop Yu-Chen Chang, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney. Chang is 20, a native of Taiwan, and is batting .275 with 11 homers and 67 RBIs. For Indians fans, this is probably the first time they’ve probably heard of Chang.
If a shortstop was going to be dealt, many probably figured it would be Erik Gonzalez, who is stuck behind Francisco Lindor. The Tribe believes Gonzalez can be an elite defensive player.
• Another Chapman scenario had the Indians making a trade more fans expected to see, according to DYST.com’s Mike Ortiz.
Sources: Yankees are asking Indians for a deal around Bradley Zimmer/Clint Frazier plus Justus Sheffield/Triston McKenzie.
— Mike Ortiz Jr. (@TrustOrtiz) July 24, 2016
Bradley Zimmer and Clint Frazier had a great day Sunday, as the duo was promoted to Class AAA Columbus. The two are now one level away from playing in the Major leagues.
Justus Sheffield and Triston McKenzie are two promising pitchers in the organization.
More from Factory of Sadness
- Bet $1 on ANYTHING to Unlock $200 Guaranteed with Crazy Bet365 Ohio Promo!
- 3 reasons why the Cleveland Cavaliers have a good shot to win the East next year
- It might be too soon to say it but it looks like the Cleveland Guardians are back
- Are the Cleveland Browns a Top 10 roster heading into the 2023 season?
- Eastern Conference Solidarity: Back the Heat with $5 Bet, Win $200 Bonus INSTANTLY with DraftKings Promo
McKenzie is just 18, and is tearing up the New York-Penn League with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. He has a 0.48 ERA in 37 2/3 innings. You haven’t heard much about him, but you will, as he moves up all of top prospect lists by season’s end.
Sheffield, a 2014 first-round selection (31st overall) is just 20, and he’s compiling a very nice season at Class A Lynchburg. He’s 7-4 with a 3.53 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 89 1/3 innings pitched.
• The Indians have the prospects to get a deal done, and that doesn’t necessarily mean they have to acquire Chapman in a bidding war against the Cubs.
The Brewers have several nice reliever in Will Smith and Tyler Thornburg, but there hasn’t been a lot of talk out of Milwaukee after last week’s report that the Tribe and the Brew Crew were talking a Jonathan Lucroy trade.
But just because these two aren’t named Aroldis Chapman, doesn’t mean they’ll come cheap, writes Cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes.
Next: Indians Struggle Mightily Against AL's Top Teams
“The trio won’t be eligible for arbitration until after this season and won’t be eligible for free agency until 2020. In short, they’re just the kind of relievers a rebuilding team such as the Brewers need,” Hoynes wrote.