Cleveland Indians: Potential under-the-radar trades for the Tribe

Cleveland Indians add utility-man Jon Berti

Having gone to Bowling Green State University, Jon Berti is more than familiar with Ohio and return to his roots of sorts could be on the table at the deadline.

At 30 years old, Berti has worked his way up the ranks from Bowling Green, spending time in the Toronto and Miami systems. Even for a brief time in 2018 his contract was owned by the Indians. Cleveland made the move on April 21, 2018 before the Blue Jays took him back on June 7, 2018.

Now a few years later, Berti could make a stay in Cleveland for just a bit longer of a period. With the ability to play anywhere in the outfield, as well as pretty much anywhere in the infield, Berti is perfect guy to add to the Indians bench to be an upgrade over Mike Freeman.

In 21 games this season, Berti is slashing .275/.363/.348 while playing seven appearances at second base, one at third, two at short, seven in center and seven in right. Obviously that adds up to over 21, so it becomes clear that he is comfortable at not only multiple positions, but moving around the field.

The other area that Berti would bring an upgrade to Cleveland is his speed. Just recently, Berti was highlighted for stealing second, third and home in the same inning, the first Marlins player to ever do that. His eight stolen bases for currently second in the National League.

Perhaps the biggest upside for Berti is his team control left. Arbitration included, he could stay in Cleveland for the next five years at a cheap rate and provide a lot of help across the field and on the base paths.

Having speed and flexibility in the field could be very important this postseason late in games and Berti would provide that to the Indians roster. The price of the club’s No. 18 prospect in Angel Martinez is worth it to have that weaponry off the bench.