Factory Of Sadness
FanSided

Cleveland Indians: 5 outfielders the Tribe should trade for

By Chad Porto

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JULY 15: Bradley Zimmer #4 talks with Yu Chang #2 of the Cleveland Indians as they run in from the outfield after the sixth inning of an intrasquad game at Progressive Field on July 15, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JULY 15: Bradley Zimmer #4 talks with Yu Chang #2 of the Cleveland Indians as they run in from the outfield after the sixth inning of an intrasquad game at Progressive Field on July 15, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
CINCINNATI, OH – APRIL 24: Jay Bruce #32 of the Cincinnati Reds congratulates Shin-Soo Choo #17 after his catch against the center field wall to rob a hit from Anthony Rizzo of the Chicago Cubs during the game at Great American Ball Park on April 24, 2013 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – APRIL 24: Jay Bruce #32 of the Cincinnati Reds congratulates Shin-Soo Choo #17 after his catch against the center field wall to rob a hit from Anthony Rizzo of the Chicago Cubs during the game at Great American Ball Park on April 24, 2013 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Jay Bruce and Shin-Soo Choo

Neither man is worth Mike Clevinger or Zach Plesac, so these would need to be trades of not-so-vaunted minor league prospects. While both men are up there in age, and both men are in their last contract year, both men would be a valuable upgrade over what the team currently has going on.

Bruce’s Phillies are 8-9 and Choo’s Rangers are 10-10 so it’s not clear if either team would be willing to part way with their veterans, but it’s not like contenders haven’t traded guys like Bruce or Choo before. Aging sluggers, who probably aren’t coming back next year anyway, and you get a prospect out of it? That’s usually a done deal, even with the team trying to make the playoffs.

Choo is hitting .240 with three home runs and 10 RBI’s. He’s got an OPS of .769, which isn’t too far off from his career average of .825. He’s also just two years removed from his lone All-Star selection. You’re not going to build an entire offense around Choo, but as a seven or eight hitter, he’s exactly what you need.

For Bruce, you’re looking at comparable numbers, three home runs, seven RBI’s, and a .227 average but that’s still a massive upgrade over some of the outfielders the team has. When healthy Bruce is a 20 home run a season kind of guy, so it’s entirely possible that Bruce can still get some deep shots in for the Indians.

The point of this duel selection is pretty obvious and that’s because the team should go get both. The team needs depth and the team needs production. Sure, both men combined barely do enough to be considered “productive” but they’re still better than guys like Oscar Mercado, who’s been optioned to Lake County.

If both veterans can be had for a steal, the Indians should go get ’em both.

Home/Cleveland Guardians