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

With the trade deadline approaching, what smaller moves can the Cleveland Indians make that could aid their postseason run in 2020?

As the trade deadline approaches we’ve already looked at some of the big moves the Cleveland Indians could make as well as three dream packages for Francisco Lindor, five deals for Mike Clevinger and four general suggestions for bigger moves, but what small deals could the Tribe look to pull off down the stretch to better their chances?

The Chicago White Sox just played their hand in this arena, adding Jarrod Dyson from the Pittsburgh Pirates for just an international signing bonus pool space. On a low-cost one-year deal, Dyson is a veteran rental with speed and reliable play in the field that could come in handy for the White Sox.

Being a small market team, this is the type of move we could see the Indians’ brass make this off-season. With the shortened season, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to sell the farm for a rental that you’re basically getting a few months of when everything is said and done. Instead, these “lower value” moves could be the way most teams look this year at the deadline.

In their current state, the Cleveland Indians are in the most need of outfield help, but utility players could also be targeted. Tyler Naquin has started to come into his own of late, but the other two outfield spots are up for grabs. Also, the Indians best utility-man right now is Mike Freeman, who could be upgraded through the deadline as well to protect the Indians in case of an injury. The same could be said for the catcher position that is rather lackluster if Roberto Perez goes down, as we just witnessed.

Given the situation of the season and the fact that the Indians just need small upgrades rather than full overhauls should point the front office down this path of finding cheap talent. These players won’t win a championship by themselves, but they all offer something that could be a huge contributing factor.

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.

Cleveland Indians bring speedster Billy Hamilton back to Ohio

At the plate, Billy Hamilton isn’t having the best year with a batting average below the weight of a Golden Retriever at .053. Despite his struggles with a bat in his hand, having a career average of .241, Hamilton could provide a huge value to any team making a playoff run.

Hamilton’s biggest value wouldn’t be in the playoffs, but leading up to them. With the current extra innings rule of placing a runner on second base, Hamilton could be the difference between wins and losses in extras.

Whether it be subbing Hamilton in to run at second or putting him at the plate to bunt the runner over, he could be a huge piece in making the push to the playoffs. Even in the playoffs he would provide a late inning pinch-running or reliable glove in the country if the team is leading.

On a one-year deal, Hamilton would be a rental for the Indians to use in a weird season. He could provide that run support with the new rule for this year and help stabilize the outfield situation in Cleveland. His playing style is similar to Delino DeShields, but he just isn’t has good at the plate. However, having his speed and defense could make up for that.

Will Benson is one of the lower ranked prospects on the team’s Top 30 according to MLB.com. Ranked 28th at 22 years old, Benson is a piece that could easily be moved.

Cleveland Indians look for a different utility-man in Derek Dietrich

As stated in the case for Jon Berti, the Indians need to look towards upgrading their utility players and Derek Dietrich would definitely be an upgrade. Having the ability to play almost every position with the exception of catcher and shortstop, Dietrich has a lot of tools that would benefit the Tribe.

Unlike Hamilton and Berti who are known for their ability in the field and on the bases, Dietrich’s ability comes primarily at the plate. Currently the Indians lack a true left-handed bat in the lineup beyond the surging Naquin and Dietrich would help that cause.

He would also supply more pop to the lineup when needed, especially as a power bat off the bench. Dietrich has increased his home run total each year since 2016. In 2017 he hit 13, then 16 in 2018 and 19 a year ago.

One thing that the Indians have lacked so far this season is someone in the order to bat behind Franmil Reyes and protect him from being walked around. Naquin has also started to settle into that role, but Dietrich provides another option. He could be placed in left field and bat behind Reyes, solving two issues of the team’s.

The Rangers don’t have many minor league pitchers and although Jean Carlos Mejia isn’t a huge prospect, being Cleveland’s No. 29 prospect on their Top 30, he could be of value to the Rangers. With the Indians he’s roadblocked by their elite talent, but with Texas he could make an impact.

Cleveland Indians add catcher depth

I’m not a fan of trades within the division, but this one might not be too awful. When Roberto Perez was hurt the Indians had their eyes open to a glaring gap on their team. If Perez goes down, the team’s potential for success could plummet.

Perez’s defensive knowledge is what makes him so valuable to the team, but he also has a presence at the plate as well. When that gets taken away from the team, the Indians just don’t compete at the same level.

Austin Romine brings that depth to the Indians, and being on a one-year deal the Tigers could look to move him if they plan on not making a playoff push. As for the Indians, we’ve already talked about the flexibility of moving Angel Martinez.

Romine is currently one of the Tigers’ best hitters and could provide a great depth player behind Perez and would help the Indians not miss a beat when Perez needs an off day or if he would miss time again the rest of this season.

As of now, Romine is hitting right around .290 with four doubles and two home runs as well as 13 RBI. Those numbers would be an incredible addition to the Indians’ bench and would be a great help down the playoff stretch for the Cleveland Indians.