Indians: 5 players who are most likely to be dealt at the trade deadline
By Chad Porto
If the Indians sell at the deadline, these five players may be gone.
The Cleveland Indians refuse to pick a lane and commit. Still in the playoff race with two big series with the White Sox on the books, the Tribe remains in limbo. They are both a team that could easily sell off some assets or trade for some as well. They’re in a weird, funky place. A place so funky, they could trade every guy on this list and still be able to compete.
We are living in some weird times.
MLB Trade Rumors is one of the best baseball sites out there and they listed their Top 60 Candidates to be traded. The Indians had two on that list and another three on the honorable mention side. Those are the five players we’re looking at today.
Austin Hedges – catcher
Having come over from the Padres in the Mike Clevinger deal, Austin Hedges has been an absolute wreck of a player offensively. He hit .083 in his first season with the Indians and only has a .159 batting average in 2021. He has four home runs, 14 RBIs, and had way too much playing time due to the injury to Roberto Perez.
The Tribe really shouldn’t expect much back for him, and considering the Tribe signed Wilson Ramos (currently hitting .283 with the Clippers in Triple-A), Hedges is more than likely gone either way the team goes.
If they’re selling because they know they’re not going anywhere, Hedges will be dumped for cash and a player to be named later. If the Tribe does commit to gaining some assets, Hedges will be gone either in one of those trades or in a separate one to clear space on the 40 Man Roster. Hedges just isn’t providing enough to be retained.