Trading Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac for outfield help makes all the sense
By Chad Porto
The Cleveland Indians optioned Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac on Friday, but trading them for offensive help makes total sense.
The Cleveland Indians have a situation that needs to be resolved, well technically two situations. Firstly, it’s about moving on from Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac for good. Both men have shown to be remorseless and oblivious to their actions in Chicago. They truly don’t believe they did anything wrong, and their selfish behavior has irritated the club to the point that the Tribe sent the best friends away to Eastlake. The other problem is the outfield. While Bradley Zimmer should hopefully find a rhythm, the rest of the group has failed to really catch on. Oscar Mercado, Domingo Santana, Jordan Luplow, and Greg Allen have yet to do anything of relevance.
They need outfield help. That’s where Clevinger and Plesac come into play. They’re still talented, but their teammates apparently want nothing to do with them. Their selfish behavior no longer has a port to call it’s own during this storm of criticism. So let them be someone else’s problem. Ship them off for a few outfield options.
The two should net at least a starter, a backup, and a prospect but not of a Mike Trout-caliber player. What you should look for is a Franmil Reyes type of player. Young, under control for a few years, who’s shown flashes of what he could be and is a team player. Veteran options exist, like trading for a pair of former Indians in Jay Bruce and Shin-Soo Choo, but you don’t give up Clevinger and Plesac for two 30-somethings at the end of their deals.
Flipping Clevinger and Plesac for outfield help makes sense. Despite what some “experts” claim, the Indian’s rotation is always the strongest part of the team. They can survive losing Clevinger in a trade for offensive help and Plesac may be over-performing if you believe the Keith Law’s of the world.
It’s a win-win. You get rid of two men who no longer have a place and you bring in much-needed help in the lineup.
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