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Cleveland Indians: 5 players to target before the 2018 MLB trade deadline

By Nick Dudukovich

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 10: Scooter Gennett #3 of the Cincinnati Reds grounds out in the fourth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on May 10, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 10: Scooter Gennett #3 of the Cincinnati Reds grounds out in the fourth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on May 10, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 10: Scooter Gennett #3 of the Cincinnati Reds grounds out in the fourth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on May 10, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 10: Scooter Gennett #3 of the Cincinnati Reds grounds out in the fourth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on May 10, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

1. Scooter Gennett, 2B, Reds

With the Reds being the worst team in baseball, Cincinnati could eventually promote Nick Senzel, who is one of the organization’s top prospects.

With Scooter Gennett, the Indians would

Cincinnati just locked up Eugenio Suarez and has been patient with Jose Peraza, who was acquired in the deal that sent Johnny Cueto to the Royals a few years back.

When the time comes, Gennett figures to be the odd man out, according to the Dayton Daily News’ Hal McCoy.

"“Gennett is the logical candidate to lose his job, but I don’t think the Reds are ready to do that. Yet.”"

Senzel is batting .271 (.801 OPS) in 22 games.  The 2018 campaign marks his first sting at Triple-A, so as McCoy notes, the Reds probably aren’t ready to rush him to the majors.

A trade doesn’t need to be finalized today, though. Terry Francona‘s refusal to drop Jason Kipnis in the batting order suggests Cleveland’s not ready to quit the two-time All-Star second baseman.

But as days become months, Cleveland may have no choice but to upgrade and Gennett would make a good fit.

Gennett’s average was .288 (.780 OPS) as of May 9. Like Kipnis, the 28-year-old veteran is  a left handed batter. Unlike Kipnis, Gennett’s much more affordable. He’s earning just north of $5 million this season, and will enter his final offseason of arbitration this winter.

He’s probably too old to be a part of a Reds rebuild that’s likely to take two to three seasons, considering they’d have to sign him to extend his contract after the 2019 season. With Senzel in the mix, that doesn’t make sense.

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