Cleveland Indians: 4 players on the trade block should Tribe be sellers?

Bryan Shaw, RP, Cleveland Indians

Last season, Bryan Shaw totaled six games in the majors, playing for the Seattle Mariners, and ended the year with an ERA of 18.00. He totaled just six innings and allowed 12 runs while striking out just four. So, he returned to his roots with the Cleveland Indians on one-year deal with the hopes of resurrecting his career. Luckily, it seems like it worked.

For Cleveland, Shaw has reclaimed his previous role with the club as a do-it-all reliever that usually mans the seventh inning in close games. In total, he has 36 innings over 37 appearances with an ERA of 3.25. He’s given up just 13 earned runs while striking out an impressive 45.

Being on a one-year deal worth a total of $1 million, Shaw makes for an intriguing trade target for teams in need of bullpen help. Not only is he an established veteran, but he’s proven to once again be effective in key situations.

As for Cleveland, Shaw is expendable. Players like Nick Sandlin, Trevor Stephan and Nick Wittgren make moving Shaw a real possibility. Any of them, Sandlin specifically, could step into Shaw’s role and get that experience moving forward.

It could also open the door to establish a three-reliever rotation for the future. Sandlin has been effective in his role and could work well in the backend with James Karinchak and Emmanuel Clase. Essentially, dealing Shaw could end up being an all around win for the Cleveland Indians.