Indians: 5 players who are most likely to be dealt at the trade deadline

Bryan Shaw – reliever

This is one of those that makes sense either way. Bryan Shaw had the best seasons of his career in Cleveland, then he left. So to did the “good seasons”, because all he had from then on were bad. Then he came back and so did those “good seasons” because Shaw is back to his old form. Shaw has proven himself to be one of the very better relief pitchers on not just Cleveland’s squads but in all the Major Leagues and there will be offers for him.

The Tribe could trade him, and see what they could get back for him and not really miss a step. The Tribe’s bullpen has some arms in it besides Shaw, so you wouldn’t be shooting yourself in the foot. On the other hand, the team could just try to re-sign him to a modest deal in the offseason and risk losing him. He’s proven to be good enough to risk losing if you want to keep him.

The team would need Shaw if they get to the playoffs, no doubt about that, but again, we don’t know which way the Indians are going come deadline time. Shaw would be able to fetch a pretty prospect from a team like Tampa Bay if they’re interested, but it would hinder the Indians’ chances of making any noise in the event they get to the postseason

The team remains on that edge, where if they went in at the deadline to acquire talent it would make sense and if they sold off assets at the deadline it would make sense. Shaw is the best physical representation of that, as trading him or not trading him are both as likely to happen.

For what it’s worth, MLB Trade Rumors has Shaw at No. 30 of their Top 60 Trade Candidates.