Cleveland Indians rumors: Mets trade for Corey Kluber looks unlikely
The latest Cleveland Indians rumors indicate a trade of Corey Kluber to the Mets looks unlikely unless New York stockpiles some prospects.
In Cleveland Indians rumors, the New York Mets are the latest team to be seriously linked to Tribe ace Corey Kluber.
However, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal wrote a deal is looking unlikely considering the bare state of New York’s prospect cupboard.
New York’s minor league system was already in the bottom half of the league before they traded prospects for Robinson Cano.
That’s why a deal for Kluber should start with flamethrower Noah Syndergaard.
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But Rosenthal argues the Mets can get in on Kluber by dealing Syndergaard to another team, receiving prospects in return, and then flipping those players to the Indians.
He also wrote about New York building a package for Kluber surrounding young outfielders Mic hall Co forgo or Brandon Nimmo.
Rosenthal concluded a deal like this would be counterproductive, though, since Yoenis Cespedes is out until after the All-Star break (surgery on both heels).
A lot to break down here, so here we go:
1. The Indians should be the team demanding Syndergaard. He’s still a player under club control through the 2021 campaign.
2. You just don’t know what type of prospects the Mets would receive if they dealt Syndergaard to a different club. Remember, the Indians are in this weird state of rebuilding, while also being picked to win the division.
They need young players who can play in the majors from day 1.
3. Nimmo’s a solid prospect who fits that description. Conforto has 427 games big-league experience, although the Indians could do far better than building a return package around just one of those players.
Nimmo, 25, is an appealing player because he’s under club control for four more seasons. He won’t even go to arbitration until after the 2019 campaign.
Conforto, who primarily plays left field, although he’s played center field as well, just finished his third big-league season. He hit .243 (.798 OPS) with 28 homers. He batted .279 (.939 OPS) with 27 homers in 2017.
The Mets’ 2014 first-round pick is entering his first year of arbitration this winter, and is under club control through the 2021 season.
Ideally, the winter meetings, which commence Dec. 9 in Las Vegas will shed some light on which way the Indians are headed.
4. Kluber or Bauer still appear to be the players who most likely get dealt.
Cleveland is talking contract with Carlos Carrasco, and it’s likely the pact gets renewed. MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince wrote new deal would extend beyond the Indians’ current control (2020).
5. The Indians are talking trade, but the organization may be waiting for clearer market picture. The Tribe is reportedly waiting for Dallas Keuchel, Patrick Corbin and Nathan Eovaldi to find their new teams before shaping off an ace, according to MLB.com’s Jon Morosi.
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Morosi added that while the Braves and Indians seem like ideal trade partners, the two team aren’t talking about Cleveland shipping one of their star pitchers south.