Cleveland Indians: 4 impacts the trade deadline had on the Tribe

The Cleveland Indians were relatively quiet on trade deadline day, and the organization will be impacted these three ways because of it.

After splashy rumors involving the Cleveland Indians dominated the headlines leading up to the MLB trade deadline, the Tribe was relativity quiet, making a minor deal for some defensive help in the outfield.

Here’s how the Indians will be impacted in the post-trade deadline world.

1. Two-platoon in the OF

The Tribe really could’ve elevated its stats from playoff contender to World Series favorite with the right move.

While Martin makes the Indians better defensively, the Tribe still has to platoon two outfield spots heading into the dog days of August.

When you think of championship teams, you don’t usually think of clubs that won with multiple uses of the platoon system.

But that’s the direction the Indians are trending, unless they pull off some kind of miracle deal on waivers.

Martin was batting .275 (.782) against righties, so that’s primarily who you’ll see him facing, while Rajai Davis will play against lefties.

In right field, the job appears to have fell in the lap of Melky Cabrera, who should provide some offense while balancing the lineup as as switch hitter. Cabrera was batting .273 (.692 OPS) with one homer and 12 RBI though 88 plate appearances.

He’s not going to make anyone forget Lonnie Chisenhall‘s defense in center field, but with The Chiz Kid possibly lost for the year (calf injury), in addition to Tyler Naquin possibly being lost for the remainder of 2018, the Indians are going to have to ride with Cabrera and Brandon Guyer.