Cleveland Indians: 4 trades the Tribe should make this offseason

Wang for Duvall

The Reds appear to have found a second basemen in Scooter Gennett, but the organization is going to have to identify a new shortstop with Zack Cozart hitting free agency.

Remember Yu-Cheng Chang? He was included in the package that was headlined by Francisco Mejia in the trade for Jonathan Lucroy two seasons ago. Lucroy vetoed the deal, Mejia became one of the top prospects in baseball and along the way, Wang saw his prospect status rise, as well, and is now the Tribe’s fourth-rated prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.

Duvall’s a bit of a let bloomer, but that’s OK, so was Corey Kluber.

The right-handed left fielder hit 33 and 31 homers in each of the last two seasons, respectively. He does strike out a lot, and his on-base percentage averaged out to .293 during the past two campaigns. Not good.

His OPS has never climbed over .800 during these seasons, but considering right-handed sticks who just so happen to fill a major positional need don’t grow on trees, the Tribe may have to live with the whiffs.

Wang’s a good prospect, but his future in Cleveland is bleak with Francisco LIndor and Jose Ramirez shoring up the middle infield. The Tribe needs to reap the benefits of cultivating a good farm system and re-engergize the lineup, especially when you factor in Carlos Santana and Jay Bruce may depart via free agency.

Chang has never played Triple-A ball, and he’d almost certainly be expected to start there in 2018, unless he blew everyone away. His glove is what would make him intriguing to the Reds, and while he doesn’t hit for a high average, he did belt 24 bombs last season in Akron.