Cleveland Indians: 4 trades the Tribe should make this offseason
Jason Kipnis for Ryan Braun
Ryan Braun‘s name has been popping up in trade talks for a while now, and perhaps this is the offseason a deal is finally consumated.
If that’s the case, the Tribe needs to make a pitch to acquire the left fielder.
So, why should the Indians take him on? After all, Braun makes a ton of money, the kind of money Indians baseball is usually allergic too.
Think of the acquisition this way.
Jason Kipnis will earn $13.6 million this season, and $14.6 million in 2019. He comes with a $16.5 million team option in 2020.
Braun is due $20 million this season, and then $19 million in 2019. His contract is longer than Kipnis’ though, and he’ll earn $17 million in 2020, when he’ll be 36. His deal also comes with a a mutual option in 2021.
OK, we’ve already established the Indians won’t be spending this offseason, but think of the deal this way: The argument around picking up Braun is based off Kipnis being on the roster anyways for the next two seasons.
So for an extra $6.4 million in 2018–which just so happens to be the kind of money the team paid to the recently waived Boone Logan last season–in addition to $5.6 million in 2019, the team can have Braun.
The downside is having to pay Braun that $17 million in 2020. With that said, if he’s non-productive, he can come off the books, granted the Indians would have to pony up $4 million to buy him out before the 2021 campaign.
Braun possesses power, he’s a right-handed stick, and he’d fulfill a big need in the outfield.
He played in just 104 games last season, and there are injury concerns because he hasn’t played in at least 150 games since 2012.
There’s always the chance he could DH, with Edwin Encarnacion playing some first base. Michael Brantley, who was an All-Star before being shut down with an ankle injury during the second half, has a murky future. The Tribe would like him to be in left field, but no one knows how the ankle will heal. First base has been floated among Tribe Scribes as a possible position for Brantley.
By acquiring Braun, the Indians are taking on some risk, but team president Chris Antonetti has to come up with a way to protect Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez, especially if Carlos Santana and Jay Bruce depart via free agency.
For the Brewers, second base is a big concern and Kipnis can help fill the void.