Cleveland Indians: 6 trades targeted by The Athletic’s Jim Bowden

1. Cleveland Indians target: Anthony Santander, OF, Orioles

Earlier, I looked at the possibility of trading for Trey Mancini, but Bowden suggested another Oriole outfielder, Anthony Santander.

Before listing the potetnial candidates, Bowden talked about the Tribe looking for power bats. Unfortunately, in 2021, Santander has been anything but. He hit 20 homers in 2019, and then 11 in the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign (37 games).

However, he’s hit just four homers in 42 games, while posting a .669 OPS.

But I promised your realistic, and Santander is a player right up the Tribe’s alley in that he’s cheap and under club control for the next three seasons.

He’s due $2.1 million this season, and becomes arbitration eligible for the first time when 2021 ends.

Additionally, acquiring him shouldn’t require a ton of top prospects, as it might for someone like Ketel Marte.

Santander has played most of his defense in right field, but as appeared at all three outfield spots. He’s played center field the least, appearing in 24 games.