Cleveland Indians: 3 players the Tribe should trade, but no team wants

Bradley Zimmer, OF, Cleveland Indians

It seems like Bradley Zimmer has been given chance after chance with the Tribe and yet each time he falls short of expectations. Whether it be an injury that derails his progression or just poor play, he can’t seem to get over the hump and be a consistent contributor at the major league level.

The 21st overall pick in the 2014 MLB Draft by Cleveland, Zimmer first appeared in an Indians uniform during the 2017 season. He played 101 games and put together an average slash line with .241/.307/.385 along with 15 doubles, 18 stolen bases and 39 RBI.

Since that season, Zimmer has totaled just 100 games spread across four seasons. His slash line hasn’t come close to those initial numbers and he has just six doubles, 11 stolen bases and 23 RBI. Injuries have played a role in his stats decreasing, but no matter which way you look at it, Zimmer just isn’t cut out in Cleveland.

Perhaps a change of scenery would help, but making that change happen could be very hard. Turning 29-years old in November, Zimmer isn’t a young prospect anymore. He does have three years of arbitration remaining, but that just means keeping him into his age 31 season. Not the best situation for an unproven player who can’t find his place in the bigs.

The Tribe were able to land a player in return for Jake Bauers, but Bauers is three years younger than Zimmer and has more position versatility. Not to mention that the player in return won’t give any immediate help to Cleveland.

Could Zimmer be moved at the deadline? Possibly. Will Cleveland get anything worth while in return? Most likely not. Making about $576,000 this season, Zimmer might as well just stay in Cleveland at this point. Moving him at the deadline doesn’t really make sense and the phones won’t be ringing off the hook for him.