Indians: Tribe should go in on Kyle Hendricks at trade deadline

There are some who want the Indians to trade for Kyle Hendricks at the trade deadline.

The Indians should be a buyer at the trade deadline but only for the perfect offer. They should be careful with whom they trade for and what they have to give up to get them. We’ve pitched a trade scenario we liked involving the Pittsburgh Pirates and some of their pieces. We like that trade specifically due to the centerpiece, Bryan Reynolds, being young and controlled for several years. A pitcher like Kyle Hendricks would also work.

Sports Illustrated proposed the idea and it makes sense.

Hendricks has three years of control left on his deal. That would normally be a great thing but for a pitcher to be locked into a long-term contract after the age of 31 makes many uncomfortable. Luckily, the Indians would be able to opt-out of the last year of his contract for a nominal penalty if he doesn’t keep it together.

The only problem that comes up is with the price of Hendricks and not the monetary price. Instead, we’re talking about which prospects and how many of them would be required to get the deal done. It’d be one thing if you were getting three or four major-league guys back in the trade but this would likely just be Hendricks. So the Tribe shouldn’t give up many prospects here.

Indians can’t afford to give up much getting Kyle Hendricks at the trade deadline

The Indians would love to have Hendricks. The rotation will be back soon to full strength, and with Brad Peacock on the roster, the Tribe could have the best rotation in the playoff. Backed by arguably the best bullpen. That alone would make this team too tough for most teams to deal with.

The problem that comes up with making this trade or any trade centers around the future. The Indians have been a playoff contender for eight years because they focused on short-term and long-term roster building. They’ve been able to replace guys because they didn’t trade away anyone and everyone worth having.

They nearly did that a few times in 2016, giving away a lot of talent that would have helped the 2021 Indians, so they need to avoid that again. Depleting the minor leagues isn’t the answer but the team should also be open to making moves that improve the team beyond this year.

Hendricks is a guy that makes sense, but someone with a one-year deal? No, avoid making that trade.