Cleveland Indians trade talk: 7 players the Tribe should target

5. Kelvin Herrera, RP,  Royals

Should the Indians be hesitant to look at a player who is having a surprising season, such as Swarzak, perhaps the front office can do what it did last year: Add another Andrew Miller type.

No, Kelvin Herrera isn’t Andrew Miller, but the 28-year-old closer is still very, very good.

CBS sports was speculating on Herrera next team as early as May 2, and considering the Royals look less likely they’ll be able to contend, a Herrera trade could very well come to fruition.

"“…His name has been swirling around MLB’s early-season trade rumors. Even if the Royals prefer not to move the 27-year-old, their hand may be forced if they fall out of contention before the July 31 trade deadline. Herrera would be highly coveted in the trade market, and with the organization (currently owning MLB’s worst record) looking like a house of cards, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him donning a different uniform by late summer.”"

Herrera, who relies on his 97-mile per hour four-seam fastball, is making $5.2 million this season. He’s 11-of-13 in save opportunities, and has 22 strikeouts in 21 innings pitched.

He relies on his fastball, averaging 97 miles per hour on his four-seam fastball. He wouldn’t have to close in Cleveland, but going back to the Miller comparison. He would help Terry Francona end games after the fifth inning.

Two things working against this trade: The Royals are a division rival and Kansas City is probably going to to want a haul in return for Herrera. The Indians already gave up a top prospect for Miller, last season.

But considering how sketchy the rotation’s been, it might be in the team’s best interest to bolster the bullpen so that Terry Francona can work remove his starters in the fifth inning and let his pen finish the rest.

He wouldn’t have to close in Cleveland, and could be another weapon for Francona to utilize.