Cleveland Indians rumors intensify on Day 1 of Winter Meetings

Cleveland Indians rumors ran aplenty on the first day of the Winter Meetings, as Corey Kluber, Trevor Bauer and Edwin Encarnacion’s names continue to pop up.

Cleveland Indians rumors have hit a fever pitch, thanks to commencement of baseball’s winter meetings, which are being held in Las Vegas.

Indians rumors involving Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer were dominating Hot Stove talk before the winter meetings, and the gathering of MLB’s executives has only poured gasoline on the fire.

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The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal wrote the Tribe is open to trading Kluber or Bauer in straight trades, or by attaching a bloated salary (think Jason Kipnis) to a deal (subscription required).

The later would be a disaster, because in theory, the Indians would get less of a haul because their trade partner would be taking on massive money.

• The biggest rumor of the day centered around talks between the Dodgers and Indians intensifying.

Kluber seems to be guy the Dodgers covet, and LA’s No. 1 prospect, Alex Verdugo, is the name that keeps coming up in return.

I’ve been writing about it so much, that’s it become numb, but isn’t it crazy the Indians are going to trade Kluber. Even at $17 million, the two-time Cy Young Award winner is absolute steal. Not to mention he just won 20 games for the first time in his career.

Verdugo would be an acceptable start to the package Kluber would demand. He’s only 22, but has hit at every level in the minors (.309, .811 OPS).

The left hander, who can play any outfield position, helps the Indians fulfill a need for 2019 and beyond.

• The Dodgers are also in on catcher J.T. Realmuto, who’s been on the trade market for a year. The Marlins want a high return. Could they obtain Verdugo?

• It was posted here a few days ago, but the Rays interest in Edwin Encarnacion and Yandy Diaz is ongoing. Tampa needs a force in the middle of the order and despite entering his age 36 season, EE fits the role.

Cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes wrote dealing Encarnacion may be a secondary move for the Tribe.

If either Kluber or Bauer gets dealt, the Indians may be able to absorb some of the $25 million Encarnacion has remaining on his contract.

The Tribe could always deal Encarnacion, and with the cost savings, keep both Bauer and Kluber.

Diaz is on the opposite side of the salary spectrum. He can play first or third. He’s been superb at hitting for average, but he’s not a guy who hits home runs.

The Tribe would probably do better in a deal involving Diaz because he has potential and he’s cheap. But it looks like this guy can it and is exactly the type of player Cleveland shouldn’t be looking to get rid of prior to the season.

Something else to think about. The Tribe needs outfielders and frankly, there’s no one on the Rays that revs my motor.

• Nine teams are interested in signing free-agent Andrew Miller.

Rosenthal described the market for the top free-agent relievers to be “intense.”

Next. More rumors: Tribe asking LA for Bellinger. dark

There was once hope that either Miller or Cody Allen could retained. Forget it. They will be gone.

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