Cleveland Indians trade rumors: Tribe mostly targeting hitters
In Cleveland Indians trade rumors, the Tribe is reportedly searching for hitters, and not help with the starting rotation before the July 31 MLB trade deadline.
A Cleveland Indians trade seems inevitable before the deadline July 31, but if a move is made, the front office may lean toward acquiring a hitter, instead adding to the back end of the rotation, according to Cleveland.com’s Terry Pluto.
The Tribe’s already looked into free-agnet-to-be J.D. Martinez, who was probably the best outfield bat available, but lost out to the Diamondbacks.
Pluto added that it’s unlikely the Indians will trade top prospects Triston McKenzie and Francisco Mejia because the organization knows that if it intends to keep competing for the foreseeable future, their farm system must keep delivering.
With this in mind, it makes a lot more sense when rumors of Asdrubal Cabrera, Eduardo Nunez and Jay Bruce are floated, according to Pluto.
Cabrera, 31, can be a free agent after next season. He’s owed $8.5 million next season, but only $2 million is guaranteed. The former Indian is batting .250 (.732 OPS) with 9 HR and 29 RBI for the Mets. It’s not splashy, Tribe fans, but ask yourself: Cabrera or Michael Martinez?
Next: 5 back end starters the Indians should target
For the Giants, Nunez is having a good year at the plate, batting .299 (.735 OPS) for $4.2 million. That’s a bargain. He’s belted four homers and has driven in 27 runs, to go along with 17 steals. He’s played games at third, short, left field and right field this season.
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
Bruce may be the streakiest player I’ve ever seen. When he’s hot, look out, but when he’s cold, it’s Siberia. Bruce is batting .266 (.860 OPS) with 24 HR and 63 RBIs. He offers insurance in the outfield especially with Lonnie Chisenhall going down with a calf injury. He’s expected to be out until mid August.
Ask me in four days, but Danny Salazar‘s amazing return to the majors makes this news easy to swallow because the former All-star doesn’t have to be great for the Tribe’s rotation to excel come October. Even if he’s just pretty good, a rotation of Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Salazar will be tough to beat, and the Tribe won’t have to mortgage the future for a Sonny Gray type acquisition.
As the deadline approaches, the Indians appear poised to make more of a Brandy Guyer trickle than an Andrew Miller splash, and that’s OK.
Francisco Mejia could get called up in September, and he could have a future on this team in 2018 based on Carlos Santana‘s impending free agency.
Next: Brandon Phillips preferable to Asdrubal Cabrera
Additionally, aces just don’t grow on trees. The Indians will never be able to afford one in free agency, so it’s critical that they bring this kid, who’s currently at Class A Advanced Lynchburg along the right way.