Cleveland Indians: 3 players most likely to be gone by trade deadline

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Yu Chang #2 of the Cleveland Indians (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

3 Cleveland Indians most likely to be gone by trade deadline

The trade deadline for Major League Baseball is drawing closer, being about a month and a half away, and we’re still figuring out which side of the deal the Cleveland Indians will be on. The club is just above .500, but still easily in contention, making this an intriguing deadline for the club. There’s an equal chance of becoming a buyer as there is for being a seller.

Despite being so far away from the deadline, the Tribe have technically already been sellers. It wasn’t a huge deal by any means, but the team did move Jake Bauers to the Seattle Mariners for a player to be named or cash. Not exactly a deal that will steal headlines, but still a move nonetheless.

In terms of the big picture, that move can be taken with a grain of salt. Bauers fell out of favor in Cleveland after being designated for assignment, so that move shouldn’t really come as a shock. What can be noticed from it, is that those conversations for the front office are at least happening. The phone lines are open.

Moving further into the season and closer to the deadline, talk will soon be ramping up for players that could both be leaving and coming to the Cleveland Indians. Given the state of the roster, odds are there will be more potential incoming players than outgoing.

Looking ahead to the deadline, if the Tribe were to become sellers who would they be able to trade? More importantly, who could draw interest from other teams? There isn’t a lot of players on the roster that could be on the move, but these three are the most likely to be traded away by the time the deadline rolls around. It doesn’t mean they will be, but if a move happens they are probably at the top of the list.

Blake Parker #53 of the Cleveland Indians (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Blake Parker, RP, Cleveland Indians

After signing just before Spring Training, Blake Parker was only recently added to the 40-man roster and called up to Cleveland. So far, he’s only tossed two games for the Tribe, but his career history and performance in Columbus this year could make him a desirable trade target around the league.

Parker is known for being a late-inning reliever, which Cleveland has plenty of at the moment. Between Nick Wittgren, Bryan Shaw, Emmanuel Clase and James Karinchak the later innings are well occupied. Parker adds another arm to that group, but his value might be higher to a team in need of a setup man or closer down the stretch.

The last time Parker logged a save in the majors was during the 2019 season, tallying 10 with the Minnesota Twins, but a strong 2020 campaign with the Phillies and solid start in Columbus could draw interest on the market.

Before joining the Tribe in Cleveland, Parker recorded four saves for the Clippers and tossed 11 scoreless innings over 12 appearances, including 15 strikeouts and just five walks.

Now, Cleveland could want to keep that type of stat line in the system, but if a team is calling and offering prospects that might be the better option. There isn’t room in Cleveland to utilize Parker to his full potential. Odds are, there’s a team that will not only have a need for him, but will be willing to pay the right price to get him.

Yu Chang #2 of the Cleveland Indians (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Yu Chang, INF, Cleveland Indians

It’s been three years now since the Cleveland Indians traded away Gio Urshela and while Yu Chang has more position versatility, there’s more than one parallel between the two players. The next one could be being traded away from the Tribe.

Being able to play all over the infield, Chang’s value on the trade market could be intriguing for Cleveland’s front office. He has plenty of team control remaining and while he hasn’t been the best at the plate, his ability to play anywhere in the infield could save a spot on the roster.

From the perspective of Cleveland, Chang has been primarily playing first base this year with 20 of his 24 starts being there. Bobby Bradley and Jake Bauers almost trade spots in terms of playing time, but Josh Naylor could soon see more time at the position.

Jordan Luplow is on the IL currently, but once he returns the outfield will be a bit crowded. One simple option would be to give Naylor more playing time at first, only decreasing Chang’s playing time more. As for third, Owen Miller can play there and the offensive production isn’t all that different between Miller and Chang.

Essentially, it comes down to Chang being expendable. His role can easily be replaced with who’s already on the roster in Cleveland. If another team is interested in Chang, which could be a big if, then the Tribe should listen and seriously consider any offer.

Third baseman Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Indians (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Jose Ramirez, 3B, Cleveland Indians

Let me start by saying that I, personally, don’t want the Cleveland Indians to trade Jose Ramirez. Let’s just get that on the record and out of the way. With that being said, it’s hard to ignore the direction the club is moving of saving every last penny and not only is Ramirez the highest paid player on the roster, but he’s one of the best as well.

That combination of being a solid player while also being expensive to Cleveland, but cheap to the rest of the league, could lead to a deadline deal. Ramirez still has club options for the next two seasons with his highest price tag being $14 million during the 2023 season. With a club friendly deal like that, Ramirez could be a very desirable trade target for other teams.

Now, for the Cleveland Indians to consider a move like this they can’t be where they are in the standings. Not as much because moving Ramirez wouldn’t align with the season’s plans, they have traded stars before at the deadline despite being the mix for the division, but the price of who they would have to call-up.

Nolan Jones would be the assumed predecessor should a move be made with Ramirez. Jones has struggled in Triple-A, so that paired with service time could deter the club. There’s other options, like Chang or Miller, but fans would be pushing to see the organization’s No. 1 prospect.

In the end, Ramirez probably won’t be moved unless the club is dead set on saving as much as possible. He has a team-friendly contract, is a fan favorite and is the team’s best player. That’s not exactly the type of player you want to trade away.

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3 Cleveland Indians most likely to be gone by trade deadline

Blake Parker, RP, Cleveland Indians

Yu Chang, INF, Cleveland Indians

Jose Ramirez, 3B, Cleveland Indians

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