Cleveland Indians: 3 predictions for MLB trade deadline

3. Trade for long-term, MLB ready player

When the Indians become the Guardians, there’s no better PR the club can give the franchise, other than winning.

And I think we’re seeing Terry Francona prepare for 2022 by the way he’s handing the pitching staff. Lately, I’ve found myself yelling at my TV for leaving younger players such as Cal Quantrill, J.C. Mejia and Triston McKenzie in games an inning too long.

When it’s happening, and these pitchers get in jams, it’s frustrating. That said, these arms need to get used to working later in games if they’re going to be long-term viable solutions in the rotation.

Tito enjoyed a big win the other day, when Quantrill pitches 6.0 innings, getting out of a jam in his final frame of work. He left the game with a 3-2 lead before the bullpen blew the game later on.

With the eyes on the future, I’m looking for the Indians to do something big–such as trading for Arizona’s Ketel Marte or the Twins’ Max Kepler.

Marte would be the dream, but keep an eye on Kepler, as well. The Twins are tearing things down and the outfielder comes with potentially there years of club control. He’ll earn $6.75 million next season, $8.5 million in 2023 and a team option that would pay him $10 million in 2024.

Kepler can play center or left field, which would solve a problem for the Indians. A healthy Josh Naylor can man right field, but Bradley Zimmer and Oscar Mercado haven’t hit will enough to seize center.

If the Tribe doesn’t make this deal at the deadline, the team could always re-visit these scenarios during the offseason when it’s easier to get a deal like this done.