Indians Rumors: Potential low-key options for Cleveland at the Trade Deadline (Slideshow)
By Cody Norman
Jun 19, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez (16) throws back to first base in the eighth inning against against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Brewers defeated the Rockies 9-5. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Indians’ projected top targets could include:
- Aramis Ramirez
- Adam LaRoche
- Ben Zobrist
- Martin Prado
- Adam Lind
Each one of those guys comes with his own laundry list of risks and, while none of them seem likely to appease the fan base, they might very well improve the Tribe’s inconsistent offense. Here’s a look at the five rumored possibilities:
More from Away Back Gone
- Cleveland Guardians tantalizingly close to locking up AL Central tiebreakers
- Cleveland Guardians: Terry Francona becomes meme in profanity-laced ejection
- Say goodbye to defensive shifts and hello to bigger bases, pitch clock in 2023
- Cleveland Guardians: Shane Bieber second-fastest to 800 strikeouts in major-league history
- The next week will make or break the Cleveland Guardians’ season
-At 37 years old, Ramirez is a bit of a wild card. He has struggled to stay healthy for much of the last few seasons and his current stat line (.234 batting average, 10 home runs and 39 RBIs) is nothing to call home about. He was, however, recently named NL Player of the Week after hitting .545 with 11 RBIs before the break. Does the Tribe really need another veteran presence in the locker room to steal at-bats from a promising third base prospect? And given his age and recent (lack of) production, is Ramirez really worth the risk?
-LaRoche was one of the prized free agent acquisitions for Chicago this offseason, but the White Sox season just hasn’t gone as expected. After hitting .259 with 26 home runs last season in Washington, LaRoche has regressed to a .222 hitter and is rapidly approaching his 2014 strikeout total. He’s hitting just .210 with runners in scoring position. Do the Indians really need another left-handed hitter who strikes out at a clip that seemingly makes Brandon Moss look like Michael Brantley? And would the Indians be willing to pay whatever is left of his two-year, $25 million contract?
Next: Another super utilityman?