Cleveland Indians: 5 trade destinations for Mike Clevinger or Zach Plesac

1. Red Sox

MLB.com’s Jon Morosi certainly opened eyes when he wrote the Tribe should deal Mike Clevinger or Zach Plesac to the Red Sox for outfielder Alex Verdugo.

If you follow Indians trade rumors, you’ll know Verdugo’s name well. When he was with the Dodgers, he was often tied to the Tribe when Corey Kluber’s and Trevor Bauer’s name started to surface as trade candidates.

Did the Indians really want Verdugo? Was he really ever offered? Only the front office knows.

Additionally, Morosi wrote what is already commonly known: The Indians need some consistent outfield play, as the team’s outfield went into action Aug. 18 with a .642 OPS–worst in the majors.

Verdugo is finally getting his shot with Boston as a key piece in the trade that sent Mookie Betts to LA. In his first extended time with the Dodgers a season ago, Veesufo hit .294 with an .817 OPS. He’s hitting .284 with an .856 OPS through 80 plate appearances this season.

Verdugo would certainly add stability to unit that deserves even more questions following the demotion of Oscar Mercado. The second-year vet looked lost at the plate, and now the Indians will have to figure out if he can adjust and hang around for the long term.