Cleveland Indians trade rumors: Several Tribe players being targeted

In Cleveland Indians trade rumors, the GM meetings have wrapped up, which means the Tribe brass has good idea of who the Indians are targeting.

Indians trade rumors should continue to simmer on the hot stove, as the next big event in the MLB offseason comes next month at baseball’s winter meetings.

Heading into December, the Tribe has a better idea of what other teams are thinking when it comes to their own players, in addition to having better gauge on their own free-agent players.

Teams really liked Roberto Perez and Yan Gomes, according to Cleveland.com’s Terry Pluto, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see either dealt in a trade because the expectation is that Francisco Mejia will be a full-time major leaguer sooner, than later.

Both are excellent defenders. Heck, I still get goosebumps thinking about Yan Gomes throwing out Didi Gregarious from his knees during the Indians amazing come-from-behind victory in Game 2 of the ALDS.

The stat lines of both Perez and Gomes won’t garner a second look, but never underestimate the value of defense, especially behind the plate. Additionally, when you factor in both are playing with club friendly contracts, it’s not that big of a surprise to hear other team are interested.

Gomes, who is making $7 million, can’t be a free agent until after the 2021 campaign, assuming the Indians pick up his options in 2020 and 2021. He hit .232 (.708 OPS) with 14 homers and 56 RBI.

Perez is under contract through 2022 (team option). He’s relatively cheap, having earned $3.6 million last season. Perezhit .207 (.664 OPS) with eight homers and 38 RBI.

Gomes would be my choice to stay. His OPS .704 is higher than Perez’s (.664), which just confirms what the eye test already told me: Gomes rakes a little bit more, a little more often.

Shane Bieber is another name to watch, according to Pluto. Nope, you’ve never heard of Bieber unless you’re running an Indians’ prospect website.

Why are teams so interested? This starting pitching prospect only throws in the low 90s, but his slider has accounted for 183 strikeouts in 197 innings and he’s only walked 12 in one and half seasons of minor league ball.

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Bieber a fourth-round pick in 2016, flew through the minors last season. He started at low A Lake County, made a stop at high A Lynchburg and closed out his season at Class AA Akron where he was 2-1 with 2.32 ERA in nine starts.

Bieber went the college route, having attended UC Santa Barbara. With that said, he’s only 22 and if he continues on this trajectory, he’ll be knocking on Cleveland’s door by the end of 2018.

Bieber probably wouldn’t be a roadblock in a trade if the Indians are getting a player they really covet, but the front office does have to start thinking about long-term planning. After the 2021 season, Corey Kluber will be a free agent.

Yes, no one cares about that now because the Indians are contenders, but who knows? Perhaps Bieber, along with Triston McKenzie, can be the next men up in a rotation that keeps the Indians competitive in the next decade.

Next: 4 trade the Indians should make this offseason?

Center fielder Greg Allen is garnering interest, and he could probably be had at the right price, although, I wonder if the Indians would move him, just because of the uncertainty in the outfield.

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