Cleveland Indians Roundup: Trade Predictions; Series Preview; Is a Jonathan Lucroy-Ryan Braun Megadeal Likely?

Trade rumors and predictions are surrounding the Cleveland Indians

With the trade deadline just over a week away, rumors are suggesting many exciting moves that may or may not happen. One of the more interesting rumors surrounding the Cleveland Indians is a potential acquisition of Jonathan Lucroy. Lucroy, 30, is having an excellent season after scuffling a bit last year. Needless to say, he would be an improvement over the Chris Gimenez–Roberto Perez tandem to which Indians fans are currently subjected. 

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More recently, a new rumor arose suggesting that the Indians could be working on a megadeal that would land them both Jonathan Lucroy and Ryan Braun. Our own Matt Bretz examined this suggestion to see how realistic is would be for the traditionally prospect-frugal Cleveland Indians. This could be a possibility given that both Lucroy and Braun are controlled beyond the end of the season, making the loss of a top prospect like Clint Frazier or Bradley Zimmer less significant.

The most difficult part of such a trade would be managing the financial aspects. Ryan Braun is owed $76 million over the rest of his contract, which would place a significant burden on the Indians’ payroll. Given the upcoming salary crunch, this could become a problem when combined with the prospects necessary to facilitate such a deal.

Also on the trade front, Dave Cameron of FanGraphs gave his predictions for the trade deadline moves. He listed the Cleveland Indians as big buyers, predicting that they will move either Clint Frazier or Bradley Zimmer. He argued that the Indians will learn from the New York Mets about the dangers of relying on young starting pitching and capitalize on their position to strike in the present. The players he felt the Indians will likely add included the rumored Jonathon Lucroy and Will Smith, but also depth moves in Daniel Hudson and Coco Crisp.

Finally, the Cleveland Indians opened a series against the Baltimore Orioles last night, as previewed by our own Henry Palattella. The Indians enter the series with the American League’s best record, although the Orioles are not too far behind them with a 54-40 record. This series looks primed to be an interesting match that could be repeated in the playoffs.

The series got off to an iffy start last night when the O’s jumped to an early lead off Trevor Bauer. After pitching very well in recent games, the right-hander allowed five runs in the first three innings. He did, however, strikeout quite a few batters through those frames, but he also walked three batters in the first four innings. Unfortunately, the Tribe offense could get nothing going as they fell 5-1 Friday night. Hopefully, the Cleveland Indians will fare a bit better tonight when Josh Tomlin and Kevin Gausman take the hill.

More from around the American League Central:

Cleveland Indians: How Realistic Is a Lucroy-Braun Trade? – Wahoo’s on First

Cleveland Indians Travel to Baltimore for Potential Playoff Preview – Wahoo’s on First

Cleveland Indians Have an Outfield Full of Misfits – Wahoo’s on First

Predicting the Trade Deadline Moves – FanGraphs.com

Cleveland Indians Fall 5-1 in Opener to Baltimore Orioles – Wahoo’s on First