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Cleveland Indians: 3 Bold Trade Ideas for potential fire sale

By Aaron Gershon

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 26: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Lewis Brinson #25 of the Miami Marlins in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on September 26, 2020 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Marlins 11-4. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 26: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Lewis Brinson #25 of the Miami Marlins in action against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on September 26, 2020 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Marlins 11-4. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 04: Starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco #59 of the Cleveland Indians pitches during the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Progressive Field on September 04, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 04: Starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco #59 of the Cleveland Indians pitches during the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Progressive Field on September 04, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Trading away a player that has spent their entire career with one-team is never easy. Carlos Carrasco was signed by the Phillies as an un-drafted free-agent in 2003 but was traded to the Indians in 2009 before ever reaching the majors.

Nearly ever since, he has been a key member of the Indians rotation, led the American League in wins in 2017 (18) and won the 2019 AL Comeback Player of the Year Award after overcoming a battle with leukemia to return to the mound.

Now 33-years old and with $38 million left on his contract and the Indians facing a rebuild, it would be best for both sides to move on and put the right-hander in a position to compete for a World Series.

One team where he’d fit right in and get that chance to compete with is the New York Yankees. Both Masahiro Tanaka and James Paxton will be free agents for New York this offseason while Luis Severino is not expected back until August as he recovers from Tommy John surgery, leaving the Bombers needing depth behind ace Gerrit Cole.

A veteran such as Carrasco would be the perfect addition and be affordable for a big-market club like New York. For the Indians, a deal with the Yankees means an opportunity to find important future pieces.

One player for the Indians to ask for from the Yankees is outfielder Estevan Florial. Florial was once the Yankees top-ranked prospect and now ranks seventh. in their system after making his MLB debut during the 2020 season. While he hasn’t quite lived up to expectations in the minors, he’s still just 22-years old and has yet to play in Double-A or Triple-A, thus with patience and a new organization, his development may take a step forward.

Another name to ask for is right-handed pitcher Miguel Yajure. Yajure is New York’s 15th ranked prospect and impressed in three major league outings in 2020 as he posted a 1.29 in three relief outings.

The 22-year old is known for his “plus changeup” and not allowing many runs as he posted a 2.49 ERA in the minors pitching at every level outside of Triple-A so far in his career. With the Indians bullpen having a clear need for mid-relief help Yajure would be a perfect addition and could eventually develop into a later inning arm.

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