Cleveland Indians: Five affordable players to target in trades

The Cleveland Indians will be cutting payroll once again this year, but here are five players they can still target on cheap contracts in trades.

It’s no secret that the Cleveland Indians are cutting their payroll in 2021, along with majority of the teams across the league. However, while saving money, the Indians’ front office remains committed to competing at a high level. To achieve this, they will have to get creative, probably more so than in the past.

This won’t be new territory for the club. Each offseason they are looking for bargain deals either on the free agent market or through trades and those cheap contracts will be emphasized in the coming year.

While some teams target top tier players, the Indians have become known for high potential players coming off down seasons that could blossom into a great value add. This past year we saw it accomplished a few different ways. Cesar Hernandez was brought in through free agency while Delino DeShields came in as part of the Corey Kluber trade.

For the Indians this year, they could lose multiple playmakers from the 2020 season that were influential in the team’s success through free agency. While the team has a strong amount of talent in the minor leagues, the loss of the 2020 minor league season could derail the process, resulting in a greater need for temporary help.

This is where the cheap trades come in. If the Indians can acquire a couple players on low-cost deals to bridge the gap for a year or two, that would be ideal. There isn’t a big need for long-term players in the gaps that will be left behind as the prospects in the minors will be able to takeover in the near future. However, if the team wants to stay competitive, these moves will be imperative.

These players are not only on cheap contracts, but also play for struggling teams that could be interested in prospects and wouldn’t need much in return to draw their interest.

Wilmer Flores – San Francisco Giants

Having bounced around the league the last few years, Wilmer Flores could be an easy target for the Cleveland Indians to explore. Flores began his career with the New York Mets and moved on to the Arizona Diamondbacks after six seasons with the Mets. He spent just one year in Arizona before making the move to San Francisco for the 2020 season.

At 29-years old, Flores is in the first year of a two-year deal with the Giants that includes an option for a third season. During the 2021 season he is set to make $3 million and then his option for 2022 is a club option for $3.5 million.

To provide context, Cesar Hernandez was brought to Cleveland on a $6.25 million salary, so Flores would save the team a few million. The key would be getting him for the right price and not costing the Indians a high prospect.

During the 2020 season, Flores played first, second and third for the Giants, but has more commonly been a second basemen during his career. At the plate, his numbers regressed from 2019, slashing .268/.315/.515. While his slash line wasn’t as great, he did hit 12 home runs, three more than in 2019 while playing more than 30 less games.

The Giants narrowly missed the playoffs in the National League, but they have other options to turn to for infield depth. If they can get something in return for Flores of value, then parting with him shouldn’t be an issue from their standpoint.

Eric Thames – Washington Nationals

The Cleveland Indians have brought in veteran first basemen in the past who are at the end of their careers. They signed Jason Giambi and brought back Jim Thome. While Eric Thames hasn’t had the career Giambi or Thome did, he could be added to the same list.

Currently, the Indians have to decide whether or not to pick up Carlos Santana’s option for the 2021 season. Given Santana’s struggles this past year and his price tag of $17.5 million, it seems obvious that the Indians will be in the market for a first basemen.

Now, there are other options. The Indians could decline Santana’s option and bring him back on a cheaper deal or turn to an in-house option like Bobby Bradley or even Nolan Jones who is trying out first base in fall ball. However, if those don’t seem viable, then maybe they turn to Thames.

Thames has one year left on his deal with Washington and is set to make $4 million in 2021. While his numbers dipped in 2020, he has shown flashes. He hit 31 home runs for Milwaukee back in 2017 and then another 25 in 2019. He also drew 75 walks in 2017 and 51 in 2018 with a batting average of .247 in both of those seasons.

On paper, Thames might seem like a bit of a downgrade from Santana, but in reality they are very similar, Thames could just be significantly cheaper.

Jose Iglesias – Baltimore Orioles

Another player that doesn’t quite fit the timeline of the Baltimore Orioles is shortstop Jose Iglesias. Having been a member of the Detroit Tigers from 2013-2018, Iglesias is a player that the Indians should be familiar with.

Iglesias will be 31-years old at the start of the 2021 season and like Alberto, he doesn’t seem to fit into the plans that the Orioles have for when they are contending, making him an easy trade target. However, his contract might be a little harder on the trade market.

This isn’t because he is expensive, but rather it would require the Orioles to pick up his club option for the 2021 season. If they pick up his option, odds are they want him around. That option is currently set at $3.5 million.

The flip side of this is that Iglesias is predominately a shortstop, meaning the Indians would need a shortstop to pursue him. Early indications are pointing towards the Indians trading Francisco Lindor, which could create a need for Iglesias.

While Tyler Freeman is the shortstop of the future for the Cleveland Indians, he won’t be ready at the start of next season. With a one year left on his deal, Iglesias would be the perfect bridge to Freeman and at a low cost to the Cleveland Indians.

Andrew Benintendi – Boston Red Sox

Of the players on this list, Andrew Benintendi might be the hardest to acquire, but he is also one of the youngest and most proven. While Benintendi is still young, the Red Sox have a handful of young outfielders coming up, so they might be inclined to move Benintendi if it means acquiring a player of a different position.

At 26-years old, Benintendi is just one of many Boston outfielders who have been linked to the Cleveland Indians through trade rumors the last couple season. After a difficult 2020 season for the Red Sox, they might finally be ready to pull the trigger.

Benintendi was injured for most of 2020, playing just 14 games, but his past numbers show consistent outfield production, something the Indians have lacked in recent years. Currently, Benintendi is set to make $6.6 million in 2021 with another year of arbitration after that.

His contract is significantly higher than the rest on this list, but that is in large part due to him being younger. While the Indians will pay a bit more now, they would get more out of Benintendi in the long run than the others on this list.

The price is definitely higher for Benintendi, but given the return it could be worth it. The Cleveland Indians are desperately searching for outfield help and consistency and Benintendi would be able to provide that.