Five trade destinations for the Cleveland Indians and Mike Clevinger or Zach Plesac.
For the first three weeks of this weird, shortened 2020 season, the Cleveland Indians had the best rotation in baseball
Now, trade talk is dominating the staff as starters Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac deal with the fallout of breaking curfew and violating team rules during a road trip to Chicago. In Clevinger’s case, he withheld that he was out and continued to hang around the team–a decision that rightfully irritated some of his teammates as the COVID-19 pandemic weights on their minds.
Truthfully, even before Clevinger’s misstep, the Tribe was going to probably look at trading him in the very near future, much like they did with Trevor Bauer. Clevinger is making $4.1 this season. He has two years of arbitration remaining.
Arbitration prices are skyrocketing, and the fiscal conservative Tribe is always looking down the road. Trading Clev this upcoming offseason will give his new team two years of control. If the Tribe were to keep him after 2021, they probably wouldn’t get a ton in return for a player who could walk after 2022.
Now, Clevinger could potentially help a team for three postseasons. He’s a valuable commodity, and that’s putting it lightly. He could be an ace on a chunk of teams, so with that in mind, here’s five trade destinations for Clevinger.
While Zach Plesac could be lumped in here, too, I’m looking for the Tribe to keep him around, unless he really becomes a problem. Time heals all wounds, and the cheaper Plesac will get his second chance.
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.
2. Yankees
The Yankees are the last place you’d want to send an ace quality pitcher, such as Mike Clevinger. But considering this front-of-the-rotation starter could be under club control through 2022 and 2023 if the Indians play the service-time game, he becomes even more valuable.
It’s also worth noting that the Yankees pitching coach is Matt Blake. You probably don’t know the name, but he was a vital part of the Tribe’s developmental staff that brought along Shane Bieber, Aaron Civale and Plesac. New York hired Blake away from the Tribe this past offseason.
The other thing about the Yankees: New York has the players that would entice the Tribe. What if Cleveland could pluck Miguel Andujar, in addition to Deivi Garcia and Clint Frazier?
Andujar would soften the blow from losing Lindor after 2021, while Frazier seems finally poised to breakout (he’s still just 25). He also takes care of that outfield problem. Additionally, Garcia is a top 100 prospect, who could be ready to join the club in 2021.
3. Padres
Before the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown baseball, the Indians and Padres had been tied together in several rumors. Corey Kluber’s name was often tossed around. Even Francisco Lindor’s popped up.
There’s another name that caught our attention, as well: Clevinger. In a story by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the longtime scribe wrote how San Diego may be more willing to meet the Indians high asking price for someone such as Clevinger, rather than Kluber. Makes sense. Clev is younger, cheaper and under club control for a longer period of time.
If your the Tribe and you’re looking for a nice return, the Padres are the team you want to deal with, as their minor league system is ranked No. 2 in baseball.
Shortstop C.J. Abrams (No. 26) would be a great addition, but at 19, he’s still a long way away from playing on The Corner. Catcher Luis Campusano, 21, would also be a nice player to stash in the system, as he’s a few years away, as well.
Mackenzie Gore is the fifth-ranked prospect in MLB, but he’d probably be starting at Class AA next season. Taylor Trammell, ranked No. 51, is also in the Padres system. He was a part of the three-team trade that involved Franmil Reyes and Bauer, but it was also rumored the Indians had interest in the outfielder.
4. Braves
The Braves need a front-of-the-rotation arm, especially after the season ending injury to Mike Soroka, so Clevinger is a logical fit here.
And the dream scenario for the Indians, 21-year-old outfielder, Christian Pache (No. 14), just got promoted to the big leagues today. Pache has been viewed as the best defensive center fielder in the minors the past two seasons, and it’s expected he’ll be a Glove Glover in the big leagues.
At the dish, he’s done a better job of cutting down on strikeouts and taking more walks. He’s a lifetime .283 hitter in the minors.
Drew Waters is another outfield option, having played all over the grass in his minor-league career. He’s a lifetime .298 hitter (.815 OPS).
Starter Ian Anderson (No. 42) should also be an option. He needs more time at Triple-A, but he’s close.
5. Angels
Clevinger would be sent back to where it all started. The Angels drafted Clevinger in the fourth round of the 2011 draft, but then traded him for Vinnie Pestano.
The big ask would be for top prospect, Jo Adell (No. 6) who is starting next to Mike Trout in the outfield now. Seems like he’d be off the table, which makes Brandon Marsh the next best option No. 96).
Marsh has been primarily a center fielder in the minors, but has logged innings at every outfield spot. in 96 Double-A games last season, he hit .300 (.811 OPS).
While Adell would seem untouchable, the Indians should certainly try to land him. Clevinger is an ace-caliber pitcher. If Trout’s ever going to get to October, LA needs to get front-line starters.
Throughout his minor-league career, Adell hit .298 with an .879 OPS.