Cleveland Indians: 5 trade deadline packages to help starting rotation

5 trade packages to help Cleveland Indians starting rotation

With less than a week left in June we’re just about a month away from the 2021 MLB trade deadline on July 30. While it was previously believed that the Cleveland Indians might try to get through the deadline without a deal to save money and assets, recent injuries to the team’s starting rotation could force their hand.

Even before the injuries took down three of the Tribe’s five starting pitchers from Opening Day, the other two were sent down to the minors following rough starts to the season. With no remaining starters on the roster from April 1 at the moment, the front office might need to strike a deal as soon as possible to bring in more arm talent for the starting rotation.

The team has made the effort to fill the voids with prospects, but the difficult schedule that July brings could be too much for the young group. Eventually, the Tribe’s 2016 MLB Draft class trio of Shane Bieber, Aaron Civale and Zach Plesac will all be back, but even then the team will still be two starters shy of a full rotation.

Perhaps two of the prospects emerge as potential answers. A few have shown flashes, but consistency has lacked across the board. For a team that is in playoff contention, and keep in mind that despite the injuries the Cleveland Indians are, that won’t cut it down the stretch. If the Tribe are serious about playing into October, then more proven starting pitching has to be added.

The team doesn’t necessarily have to add two arms. Most times a starting rotation is cut down to four late in the season, so adding just one pitcher could suffice and leavie the other spot up for grabs amongst the prospects for the time being.

Finding an expiring contract that could be a bit easier to acquire shouldn’t be difficult. The question will be if the Tribe are willing to pay the price, both in terms of the trade and taking on the contract.

Cleveland Indians get lefty Tyler Anderson

After starting the season rather well, Tyler Anderson has struggled a bit lately which has actually dropped his price in a trade. However, given the huge need of a starting pitcher, Anderson could fall right into the range the Cleveland Indians are looking to pay.

Making just $2.5 million in total this season and being a free agent this upcoming offseason, Anderson’s price against the books might be the best on the market. For the same reason, it shouldn’t cost a ton to acquire him.

As we said, Anderson has had an up-and-down season. His last win came back on May 9, but that’s not entirely his fault. He has also allowed at least one run in each appearance, but has still managed to keep his ERA at 4.82. That’s not great, but it’s serviceable enough to make Cleveland’s rotation.

For what it would take, the Pirates only have one catcher on their Top 30 prospect list and he’s not a true catcher, having the ability to play outfield as well. Bryan Lavastida is the second catcher on the Tribe’s list and would give Pittsburgh another option. He’s not a big name prospect, but bolsters the Pirates’ farm system at the position, which is all they should expect in return for Anderson.

Cleveland Indians make division deal for Kenta Maeda

Entering the season, the Minnesota Twins were expected to be among the top teams in the AL Central. Instead, they sit at the bottom of the division and near the bottom of the entire majors. With a slew of one-year deals on the roster, the Twins could very easily be one of the most active sellers at the trade deadline.

Oddly enough, the player that fits for the Cleveland Indians isn’t on a one-year deal. Kenta Maeda is still under contract for both the 2022 and 2023 seasons, which raises his price a bit on the trade market. Throw in the fact that his contract doesn’t go beyond $3.2 million a year and he could be a rather difficult player to acquire, especially from a division rival.

However, at 33-years old, Maeda doesn’t project to be part of the Twins’ future plans so trading him now might be the best value for the club. The team is in need of future infielders on the left side of the infield and they get two here. Owen Miller will be able to contribute now and Aaron Bracho down the road.

As for Maeda, he would bring with him an ERA of 4.85, quite the jump from his career 3.83 mark which makes it seem like better innings could be in front of him. After leading the majors in WHIP last season, his mark has doubled this year, so while it’s been a rough start there’s a good chance he could even out soon.

Cleveland Indians add Andrew Heaney

Of the trades we’ve talked about thus far, this one might make the most sense for both sides. For the Los Angeles Angels, all the catchers on their 40-man roster are 30-years old or older and they don’t have a catcher on their Top 30 prospect list.

As for the Cleveland Indians, they’ve consistently kept a left-handed starting pitcher in the rotation this season for the first time in a long time. With Andrew Heaney being on a one-year deal worth less than $7 million for the full season, it could be a perfect fit.

This year Heaney has really had the definition of an up-and-down season. He’s had two scoreless starts this year, but has also allowed five runs or more on three different occasions as well. However, he’s also struck out 10 batters three times, including seven or more strikeouts in three of his last four starts.

Being 30-years old, there’s still a decent amount of potential for Heaney as well. His best season was back in 2015, so there’s a chance of him re-signing on a cheap deal if he were to be dealt at the deadline. If all it would take is a catcher, which the Tribe have two of on their Top 30 list, then it’s definitely something to explore.

Cleveland Indians land division deal for Danny Duffy

The Kansas City Royals are one of the most unpredictable teams this season, so what they end up doing at the deadline is still a mystery. Should they become sellers, Danny Duffy might become the hottest name on the trade market.

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A homegrown player, Duffy might be hard to pry away from Kansas City. However, being in the last year of his deal, he could always return to the Royals in the offseason should a trade be agreed upon.

At the moment, Duffy is registering a 1.85 ERA over eight starts, striking out 52 batters over 43.2 innings. Duffy has allowed more than one run just twice this season while also having four scoreless starts under his belt.

Those numbers, though, won’t come cheap. Looking into the future, the Royals could use an upgrade at both third and second in their prospect outlook. For that reason, the Tribe send them the club’s No. 8 prospect in Aaron Bracho as well as Yu Chang who might need a change of scenery after struggles at the plate in Cleveland.

While the price contains a current MLB player and a top 10 prospect, Duffy would be well worth the price with the season he’s putting together. He would immediately improve the rotation and give the team a solid No. 4 starter once the main trio return.