Cleveland Indians: August trade targets, Adrian Beltre

Let’s take a look at another potential August trade target for the Cleveland Indians in the Texas Rangers third baseman.

There are still plenty of names out there for the Cleveland Indians to pursue. There aren’t glaring needs but there are some holes that can be filled on this roster. With injuries plaguing the outfield and consistency keeping the team from taking off, something needs to be done if the Indians want to get back to the promised land.

Someone who has accomplished all he can in his career except for reaching that promised land is Adrian Beltre. Beltre has done it all in his career including most recently joined the 3000 hit club. But he has never won a World Series in his. long-tenured MLB career.

The Cleveland Indians have a chance to make it to the World Series, and Beltre could give them a better chance of getting there in what would be a mutually beneficial relationship. Beltre is batting  .280 int he 2018 season. That would put him behind only Jose Ramirez and Michael Brantley on the Indians current everyday lineup.

Beltre isn’t hitting for as much power as he used to, but he still posts a pretty consistent bat and he can still play third base. His .726 OPS isn’t much to write home about, and his contract is up at the end of the year.

So why consider Beltre? The Indians have an MVP calibre third baseman in Jose Ramirez. Adding Beltre would allow Ramirez to play second base, a position he held for much of the 2017 season. That would also mean Jason Kipnis could play in the outfield, a position he is also capable of playing.

So while the addition of Beltre would add some versatility to the Indians lineup, along with a much-needed right-handed bat it may not be the most realistic move. Beltre has claimed that he wants to stay with the Rangers. He has a full no-trade clause in his contract that he has complete control over.

Adding Beltre likely wouldn’t cost much for the Indians aside from taking on the remainder of his contract, but it doesn’t feel like a move the Indians would want to make. The Indians infield is in a great spot right now and they have good chemistry.

It’s not too farfetched too think it could happen, Beltre could very well want to play for a World Series, but the Indians might not be the team that fits his needs.