Cleveland Indians: 5 reasons why the Mike Clevinger trade was great

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PEORIA, ARIZONA – MARCH 09: Josh Naylor #22 of the San Diego Padres throws the ball to the infield after making a play on a double hit by Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning of a spring training game at Peoria Stadium on March 09, 2020 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

A new starting outfielder

Since arriving in Cleveland, Josh Naylor has been starting every day in the outfield. He played the entirety of the most recent visit to the Kansas City Royals, going 2 for 10 in the series. Not a great debut but still .050 points better than most of the other options.

Naylor is coming in at a good time to claim an outfield spot. Most of the team’s “best” have been optioned or sent down, leaving only Delino DeShields and Tyler Naquin as the only consistent starters anymore. Both men have been great, comparatively, since joining the team around the mid-way mark and their additions have really improved the team’s offensive output.

That and Franmil Reyes deciding to go God Mode in the batter’s box.

With Naylor joining the team, the once highly touted San Diego Padres prospect will join equally heralded bother Noah “Bo” Naylor. Bo Naylor is currently ranked No. 3 in the Indians minor league system by MLB.com. It’s not just possible, but very likely both men end up playing together. With the Indians’ need for a consistent offensive catcher, Naylor may be on his way to the majors assuming he continues to progress steadily throughout the next year or two.

Naylor won’t become Juan Gonzales or David Justice for the Indians but even if he only hits .240 the rest of the season for the Tribe, that’s just nearly .100 points better than what the team was getting out of the rest of the group.

Now the Indians have three, steady everyday outfielders and we have Mike Clevinger to thank for that.

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