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Cleveland Indians trade talk: 7 players the Tribe should target

By Nick Dudukovich

Apr 9, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Kelvin Herrera (40) pitches during the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Kelvin Herrera (40) pitches during the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 23, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona (17) against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona (17) against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

With Memorial Day here, it’s time for some Cleveland Indians trade talk. These seven players should be on the Tribe’s radar as the MLB trade deadline nears.

The Memorial Day benchmark has come for the Cleveland Indians, and while the Tribe is right near the top of the AL Central standings, the Tribe isn’t running away with the division like many expected.

The starting rotation, which was supposed to be the backbone of this Tribe team, has faltered, posting the worst ERA in the American League  (4.89).

The month of June will be a huge month for the Tribe in terms of what the team might do during the trade deadline.

Corey Kluber is coming back from a back injury. Mike Clevinger, who started the season at Class AAA Columbus, is proving he deserves an extended look in the rotation.

But Danny Salazar is being sent to the bullpen to work out some kinks, and when Trevor Bauer and Josh Tomlin pitch, Tribe fans just don’t know what they’re going to see.

Tomlin could give up seven runs in the first two innings, or he could go out and throw a complete-game, six-hitter like he did against the Royals on Sunday.

There’s also questions surrounding the outfield. Michael Brantley quick return to form has solidified left field, but center and right are concerning.

In a short sample size, Bradley Zimmer has a 0.5 WAR and his batting .296 (.888 OPS). Can he maintain this play through the next two months, or does the Tribe need an outfielder.

Right field was supposed to belong to Lonnie Chisenhall and Brandon Guyer, except that Guyer isn’t doing what the Tribe needs him to do: Crush lefties. He hit .328 (.952 OPS) against lefties a season ago, but is hitting just .174 (.507) this season.

The bullpen could also use some bolstering. It seems crazy to write because the unit is the best group of relievers in the American League.

But try to think about how important bullpens were last season when the Indians’ rotation was in peril. If Chris Antonetti can go out and add another stud bullpen arm, the Tribe can all but finish games after five innings while not beating up on the arms of Andrew Miller, Bryan Shaw and Cody Allen all that bad.

So with the Trade Deadline now within sight, take a look at these players the Indians should look into acquiring.

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