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

Cleveland Indians Trade Target #1: German Marquez, P, Colorado Rockies

While German Marquez is going to be the most expensive player on this list, he might be the easiest to acquire for the Cleveland Indians. The Tribe and Colorado Rockies have a good relationship, whether it be on the trade market or social media, and the Rockies will be deep into the selling aspect of the trade deadline with multiple players most likely on the move.

Since we’ve already mentioned the price tag, we’ll start there. Marquez is in the third year of a five-year deal, but it’s still a relatively affordable contract for a 26-year old starting pitcher.

Over the course of this year, Marquez is set to bring in $7.8 million which will increase to $11.3 million in 2022 and $15.3 million in 2023. A little expensive, but it might be worth it to stabilize the rotation a bit.

So far this season, Marquez has an ERA of 3.91 over 71.1 innings pitched and is the only pitcher in the game to have two complete games this year. He’s also been able to strike out 75 batters and walk just 34.

Also, while his ERA of 3.91 might seem a bit high, that includes an implosion outing where he gave up eight runs in 0.2 innings to balloon that number. If you take away that start, he has a sub-3.00 ERA, being better than Aaron Civale and nearly on the same track as Shane Bieber.

Marquez might be a bit more expensive, but given his age and ability the price would be worth it. Adding him to the starting rotation would solidify four spots through 2023, leaving just one spot to be filled by the farm system. That would be well worth whatever the price of the trade would be, plus his contract over the next couple seasons.

Cleveland Indians Trade Target #2: Kyle Gibson, P, Texas Rangers

If the Cleveland Indians want to go the route of a cheaper option, Kyle Gibson might be the choice. A 33-year old veteran, Gibson wouldn’t have as much long-term upside as Marquez, but he would be the better short-term option.

So far this year, Gibson has been the best pitcher on this list with an ERA of 2.13 over 71.2 innings pitched. He’s also been able to strike out 58 batters and walk only 21. What’s even more impressive for Gibson is that number comes after a debut this year that saw him allow five runs in 0.1 innings.

If we do for Gibson what we did for Marquez and take out that one awful start, his numbers become truly incredible. Outside of that one bad start, Gibson has an ERA of 1.51 over 71.1 innings pitched. That mark would have him as the fifth best pitcher in the game for ERA.

Gibson is also a rather affordable option. Being a bit older, his contract was front-loaded meaning that he’s owed a total of $10 million this year before that number drops to $7 million next year.

All-in-all, Gibson is very much within range of what we could see the Tribe target this year at the trade deadline. He’s been a strong and stable starter this year and while his contract would be the most expensive on the team this year, it’s still rather reasonable at $10 million.

Cleveland Indians Trade Target #3: Merrill Kelly, P, Arizona Diamondbacks

Of the three starting pitchers on this list, Merrill Kelly is the one that’s a bit questionable. Kelly has showed promise in the past, but this season has shown otherwise. Now, he is the cheapest option of these three, but that doesn’t make him the best.

Last year, Kelly put together a decent stat line. Over five games he logged a 2.59 ERA, striking out 29 batters over 31.1 innings. That’s not bad at all. However, this year has been a bit of a struggle. Tossing 70.1 innings, he’s registering an ERA of 5.12 with 62 strikeouts. One positive, though, is just 19 walks.

While Marquez and Gibson have had one start that’s inflated their ERA, Kelly has been rather consistent, which in this case isn’t great. He’s allowed at least one run in every start and has given up three or more in eight of his 12 appearances. So, why is he on this list?

Well, like I said, he did show promise last year. That paired with a price tag of $4.25 million this year with a club option of $5.25 million in 2022 and then also two more years of arbitration makes the case a bit better. He is 32-years old, but there’s a chance he could stay in Cleveland for three seasons beyond this year.

Gibson and Marquez are the better options, but Kelly might be a cheap last resort if everything else falls through. There’s potential there and upside in his contract, he’s just having a rather rough season.