Cleveland Indians rumors: What would White Sox trade for Mike Clevinger look like?

Latest Cleveland Indians trade rumors involving Mike Clevinger and Frankie Lindor.

There are at least five teams talking to the Cleveland Indians regarding a trade for pitcher Mike Clevinger, withs he latest being a big surprise.

The AL Central rival White Sox reportedly have been talking to the Tribe, and USA Today’s Bob Nightengale lists Adam Engel as a potential piece the Tribe would get in return, in addition to top pitching prospect Michael Kopech.

The White Sox rumor is intriguing, because it builds on the belief that the Indians are trying to add outfield help, particularly in center field. The Tribe has also been linked to Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. 

Engel would solve the center field conundrum from a defensive standpoint, but his bat isn’t all that  enticing. He’s slashing .255/.293/.436. (wRC+97) and while that’s better than Delino Deshields Jr., it’s not a significant jump.

Kopech notably opted out of the season. He had recovered from Tommy John surgery and White Sox fans were ready to see some his potential realized in 2020.

Since he can’t help, it makes you wonder how likely it is that this deal goes through.

Think about it: The Indians are battling the Sox for first place and they’re going to deliver them a front-of-the-rotation arm who’s under club control for two more seasons after this one? Then, they might have to see him in October. It just doesn’t seem crazy. It is crazy!

Now if you want to re-visit this deal in the offseason, that’s a suggestion that’s based in reality.

1. Elsewhere around the rumor mill, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman is Tweeting that the Padres, Braves, Yankees, Yankees and Dodgers are talking to the Tribe about Clevinger.

Four of those five teams were covered in a piece published here last week. Aside from the shameless plug,  It’s worth reading to get a sense of what these teams can offer the Tribe in return.

As Heyman noted, the Tribe is in first, and wants big leaguers in return.

While I’d hate to trade with the Yankees, New York could offer up one heck-of-package that goes beyond Clint Frazier. One of their prized prospects, Deivi Garcia, gets his first start tonight. Perhaps they’re showcasing him for a deal?

Heyman also touched on Lindor, stating many around baseball believe they’re the favorites to land him, but that a trade would be more likely for the shortstop this offseason. This one’s hard to dispute. The Indians have a shot to win the World Series and those chances would go down if Frankie were health.