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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 29: Francisco Lindor #12 of the Cleveland Indians celebrates during player introductions prior to Game One of the American League Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees at Progressive Field on September 29, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 29: Francisco Lindor #12 of the Cleveland Indians celebrates during player introductions prior to Game One of the American League Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees at Progressive Field on September 29, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Unfortunately, Francisco Lindor is likely not apart of the Indians’ future plans.

Lindor is seeking a deal that will pay him north of $300 million for the next decade and Indians owner Paul Dolan admitted several times that will be an impossible price tag for the small market Tribe to match.

Thus, the Indians must cash in and deal Lindor before he is able to walk free after the 2021 season.

One potentially perfect trade partner is the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies have several stars in their lineup yet were unable to reach the postseason in 2020, meaning they’ll likely be ultra-aggressive this offseason.

The Phillies’ deepest position in their farm system is the shortstop position which should allow the Indians to ask for Lindor’s eventual replacement and Bryson Stott is the name they should ask about.

Stott is the Phillies second-ranked prospect and was drafted in the first round of the 2019 and slashed an impressive .295/.391/.494 with six home runs and 27 RBI’s in the minors last season.

The two other names Cleveland should target are left-handed pitcher Erik Miller and outfielder Johan Rojas.

Miller is the Phillies’ 10th ranked prospect whom they selected in the fourth round of the 2019 Draft. The 22-year old quickly found himself in High-A Ball as he posted an outstanding 1.50 ERA in seven starts and 11 overall minor league outings last season.

Rojas ranks 17th in the Phillies system and is known for being a high-average and speed player who will likely be a future leadoff hitter if he pans out.

The Indians have struggled when Lindor has been outside of the leadoff spot in recent years and since he won’t be around in the future, having a future top of the order bat in the minors is crucial.

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