Cleveland Indians: Three players who could be traded this offseason

Trading Adam Plutko would not create as much buzz.

The right-hander has made 32 starts for the Indians over the past two years and has a career 5.08 ERA.

This potential trade has nothing to do about his contract. Moving him is due to the fact he won’t make the rotation and the team may just want to do him a favor by giving him an opportunity elsewhere while also getting something in return.

Plutko is someone who already has major league starting experience and he can serve as a leader for a younger staff on a rebuilding team. I don’t think any contender would bat an eye with him being available in a trade.

He can help a younger staff while eating up innings with average outings. Nothing too special but nothing too terrible as well.

Plutko was given the opportunity to prove himself in 2019 but was quickly overshadowed by both Zach Plesac and Aaron Civale. Those two are already fighting for rotation spots and even if Kluber is traded, Plutko is not going to end up among the starting five.

There would not be much brought back in return for Plutko but sometimes a low-level prospect ends up being a star. That is what scouts are for and a forgettable trade like this could end up being important in about 2026.