Cleveland Indians Rumors: Is a Deal for Todd Frazier Brewing?

The need for the Cleveland Indians offense is a strong as the case to not trade pitching to get it. So what does that mean? The chance of getting Todd Frazier? If not pitching it will have to be one of the Indians top prospects.

The Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds have been in discussions about a trade for the Reds All-Star third baseman, Todd Frazier. With the Reds looking to rebuild, the price would be prospects or young talent under team control for several years. Let’s just assume that the Indians aren’t including any of their starting pitching. Therefore, the price tag is likely to include one of the Indians top prospects which could include Tyler Naquin, Bradley Zimmer or Clint Frazier.

The Indians also have some solid arms coming up through the system including Rob Kaminsky who they snuck away from the St. Louis Cardinals for Brandon Moss. Kaminsky is a former first-round pick and has garnered much attention from around the league. So if the Indians cherish their starters as much as most fans do (and they should), the only way to make a deal like this happen is to part with quality prospects. If you don’t like that idea, you can’t be one of the fans complaining the team isn’t “making any moves”. The organization is limited and will have to use all its assets to make things happen.

Frazier is one of the better power hitters in the game, evidenced by his back-to-back All-Star campaigns in which he’s hit at least 29 home runs while knocking in at least 80 runs. The other part of it is his durability. Frazier has played in at least 150 games the past three seasons while playing in 157 in the last two. He’d look really good hitting in the middle of the Tribe lineup, but at what cost would it be worth it?

The now on-hold deal of Aroldis Chapman to the Los Angeles Dodgers shows that if the Indians play it right, they shouldn’t have to part with top-tier prospects. Chapman–arguably one of the best, if not the best closer in the game–was headed to LA for less than top prospects. While Frazier is near his peak, you can’t expect the Reds to ask for a much larger or impressive package for him as compared to Chapman. 

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If the Reds have their eye on Kaminsky, I say pull the trigger for Frazier. You may have to throw in another prospect, but this would be a no-brainer to me. Kaminsky was a steal for Moss, who was another subpar free agent signing for the Indians. Dealing Kaminsky to get Frazier would be a win. Look, if you think the pitching is worth its weight in gold, this is how it needs to happen. There isn’t a lot of money in free agency to spend, and the contracts are inflated terribly these days. The Indians need to use what they have and get this deal done.