Cleveland Indians: 2 Mariners trade targets to watch this series

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Cleveland Indians trade target Yusei Kikuchi #18 of the Seattle Mariners (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

2 Seattle Mariners trade targets to watch this series for the Cleveland Indians

After making a trade earlier this week, the Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners will oppose each other for a weekend series at Progressive Field, beginning a seven-game homestand for the Tribe. While the deal was one of small magnitude, Cleveland and Seattle are at least talking trade already. Could another deal be on the horizon?

The most recent deal between the two clubs saw Jake Bauers go the Mariners for either a player to be named or cash in return to Cleveland. Again, not a huge trade, but ahead of the series there’s a good chance Bauers’ first game in his new uniform will be against his old one.

With a little over a month remaining between now and the trade deadline there’s still a high chance that Cleveland will be involved with another trade, one way or another. It might not be a groundbreaking move, but a move of some sort should almost be expected after the Bauers deal.

If that’s the case, then fans of the Tribe might be getting a glimpse of some potential targets in the upcoming series against the Seattle Mariners. While Seattle doesn’t have a many players that fit into what Cleveland could be looking for at the deadline, there are a couple that could create intrigue.

Now, the Bauers deal does make it seem less likely. If there was a player in Seattle that really interested Cleveland, then the Bauers trade may have been expanded beyond just one player. Nevertheless, the two clubs are at least talking and taking a look at the other’s roster. That could foster another deal before the deadline.

With all that being said, here are two players that fans of the Cleveland Indians should keep an eye on during the upcoming weekend series with the Seattle Mariners. They might just be making the move to Cleveland in the near future.

Check out some of our other trade deadline talk:

Tribe on track to be buyers or sellers?

3 players Tribe most likely to add by trade deadline

3 Tribe players most likely to be gone by trade deadline

Mitch Haniger #17 of the Seattle Mariners (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /

Potential Cleveland Indians Trade Target #1: Mitch Haniger, OF

This isn’t the first time we’ve talked about Mitch Haniger as a potential trade target for the Cleveland Indians and it likely won’t be the last. The Mariners will be in position to sell, but they don’t have many players on the list to let go. Haniger is one of the team’s best players and an upgrade in the outfield for Cleveland might be a wise move.

Haniger, a 30-year old outfielder, has been playing rather well so far this season for the Mariners. Through 60 games he’s been able to blast 14 home runs in addition to 15 doubles and 38 RBI. If he joined Cleveland’s roster, Haniger would immediately become the team’s leader in all three statistics.

In terms of slash line, Haniger has been rather solid as well. So far, he’s posted a line of .254/.303/.500. While it might not jump off the page, it would be an upgrade for the Tribe’s outfield.

As for his contract, Haniger is only making $3.01 million this year and has another year of arbitration for next year. This wouldn’t be a rental trade and the price for this season is rather cheap.

A deal for Haniger will likely be costly in terms of outgoing prospects, but he could make a huge difference in the lineup and he checks the rest of the boxes for what the Tribe look for in a trade.

Yusei Kikuchi #18 of the Seattle Mariners (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Potential Cleveland Indians Trade Target #2: Yusei Kikuchi, SP

While a move for Haniger makes sense in more ways than one, a move for Yusei Kikuchi would take some convincing. Kikuchi’s contract is a bit hefty for what Cleveland would probably like to pay and he isn’t having the best season. However, that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be an upgrade and it might even take less to get him due to the negatives.

We’ll start with the negatives, specifically the price. Kikuchi is owed a total of $16.5 million this season and that won’t drop much for the duration of his contract that could last as long as through the 2025 season. Now, every year after this one is a club option, so the Tribe could cut ties whenever. Knowing this front office and their mission to save money, that would probably be the route after one-year, making him a rental for the club.

Statistically, Kikuchi is having his best year yet in Major League Baseball. Tossing 66.2 innings, he’s riding an ERA of 4.05 with 69 strikeouts and 20 walks. After allowing 15 runs over his first four starts, Kikuchi has settled in a bit, making his ERA a bit inflated than his recent ability.

The Cleveland Indians will get a close look at Kikuchi on Saturday. While his stats don’t necessarily match the price, if the trade price is low enough he could be a decent rental for the Tribe.

Next. 3 players most likely to be added by trade deadline. dark

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2 Seattle Mariners trade targets to watch this series for the Cleveland Indians

Potential Cleveland Indians Trade Target #1: Mitch Haniger, OF

Potential Cleveland Indians Trade Target #2: Yusei Kikuchi, SP

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