Cleveland Indians: Three trade possibilities for Jose Ramirez

The Cleveland Indians could enter a full rebuild this offseason, which might result in multiple trades like possibly moving Jose Ramirez.

Heading into the upcoming offseason, it’s well known that the Cleveland Indians will be looking to cut payroll. While Jose Ramirez is one of the better value contracts not just in Cleveland, but all of baseball, he could still potentially be on the chopping block for the right price.

Ramirez closed out the 2020 season with an MVP-like performance. After a slow start, he exploded during the backend of the season, leading the American League in runs with 45. Thanks to the late surge, Ramirez was able to raise his slash line to .292/.386/.607 before the season ended, including slugging 17 home runs.

At 28-years old, Ramirez could still very well be a building block for the Cleveland Indians moving forward, but he is also expendable at the same time. With Nolan Jones biting at the bit to debut in the major leagues, the Tribe could easily move Ramirez and have Jones slot in if the right trade comes in over the phones for Ramirez.

Another factor is that this could be the sweet spot to trade Ramirez from the Indians’ perspective. Coming off such a hot few weeks to end the season, Ramirez’s value might be at its peak. His contract is cheap for now, but it will go up shortly. In 2021, Ramirez is set to make $9.4 million before he has club options in both 2022 and 2023. The option in 2022 is set for $12 million and then $14 million in 2023.

With three years of team control left on his deal at an affordable price and him being in his prime, Ramirez could draw a lot of interest from around the league. If anything, the Indians should at least listen to offers this offseason, just in case. While Ramirez would be great to keep around, you can’t turn down an incredible offer if it gets called in.

Indians deal Ramirez for immediate contributors

While the Los Angeles Dodgers are currently trying to capture the World Series crown, they could very soon enter the trade market with the Cleveland Indians for multiple players, one of them being Jose Ramirez.

Starting at third base for the Dodgers in the World Series has been Justin Turner, who has been solid. However, Turner is set to become a free agent this offseason and will be 36-years old when the 2021 season begins. While Turner is a fan favorite, the Dodgers could opt to explore other avenues for third base.

Should the Indians make Ramirez available, he would be able to sustain, if not improve, the production from the third base slot that Turner has provided the Dodgers. He’s also on a much cheaper contract and is a good deal younger as well, but what would LA have to give up?

A top prospect would probably be needed and for the Indians that would be the team’s No. 2 prospect catcher Keibert Ruiz. With fellow prospect Will Smith entrenched behind the plate, the Dodgers can look to move Ruiz this offseason for other pieces. As for the Tribe, Roberto Perez has been stellar behind the plate, but he will be 32 when next year starts, so an investment in youth could be good.

Next on the list is the Dodgers’ No. 11 prospect, outfielder DJ Peters. The Indians need outfielders direly and Peters would join the mix. Over 57 games at Triple-A during the 2019 season Peters was average at the plate, but drew 33 walks and clubbed a dozen home runs.

The final piece would be No. 18 prospect and utility man Zach McKinstry. Playing in four games for the Dodgers this season, McKinstry slashed .286/.286/.429 with a double. He saw time at both second base and right field.

Tribe receive three top 20 prospects from Tampa Bay

If the Cleveland Indians can afford the contract of Jose Ramirez, then the Tampa Bay Rays should be able to as well. While Joey Wendle has been productive for the Rays, Ramirez would be an upgrade at the position and could be viewed as the missing link between Tampa Bay and a World Series title, should they fall short this year.

What it could cost the Tampa Bay Rays would be three of their top 20 prospects, the first being middle infielder Vidal Brujan, the team’s No. 3 prospect. The Rays already have a young middle infield duo with the No. 1 prospect in baseball waiting to take one of the spots, so parting with Brujan seems logical. Known for his speed, Brujan stole 151 bases over 399 games in the minors while maintaining a slash line of .294/.377/.417.

The second piece in the deal would be yet another rumored outfielder for the Indians in Josh Lowe, the Rays’ No. 10 prospect. In 2019, Lowe was able to knock 18 home runs in Double-A over 121 games while also stealing 30 bases.

The third player from Tampa Bay in the deal is No. 18 prospect, corner infielder Kevin Padlo who put up a slash line of .290/.400/.595 at Triple-A during the 2019 season and could slide in soon for the Cleveland Indians.