Cleveland Indians: 3 players the Tribe should trade, but no team wants
3 players the Cleveland Indians should trade, but no team wants
With the 2021 MLB Draft and the All-Star Game behind us, the next big event on Major League Baseball’s calendar is the trade deadline at the end of the month. Only a few games above .500, the Cleveland Indians could still potentially be buyers as much as they can be sellers. However, there are a few players that could allow them to be both.
The Cleveland Indians roster is far from set, but there are still some areas where there’s more depth than others. This could allow the team to explore the potential of moving depth in one area for a boost in another. The team is still in need of help in the starting rotation and this could be the opportunity to address that.
The only catch is that the players that the Tribe could offer to make that type of move happen aren’t exactly desirable. There’s a reason these players are a bit buried on the depth chart and wouldn’t hurt the team if moved.
While these players are replaceable and could be easy players to send away, they haven’t played well enough to draw interest from the rest of the league. They could be included in a deal as an additional piece, but centering a deal around these players is very unlikely at this point. There’s still time for that to change, but it will be a steep uphill battle.
If the Cleveland Indians want to become buyers at the deadline, then these players could sweeten a deal, but nothing more. If they are sellers, then the team is most likely stuck with these players as they won’t provide any interest.
No matter where the team ends up at the trade deadline, these are three players that the Tribe should attempt to trade, but unfortunately no team will want in return.
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.
Jordan Luplow, OF, Cleveland Indians
Somehow, the outfield for the Cleveland Indians has turned into a log jam. Granted, it’s not a bunch of great players fighting for time, but rather a group of average players just trying to get playing time. Once healthy, Eddie Rosario and Harold Ramirez will man the corner outfield spots. Hopefully, Oscar Mercado takes over in center, leaving just a depth spot left to fill from the rest of the players available.
Beyond those three starters the Tribe have to make a decision between Zimmer, Daniel Johnson and Jordan Luplow. There’s a decent chance at least one of them gets moved at the deadline.
While he used to be a well regarded prospect, Luplow has struggled in the majors, whether it be with Cleveland or the Pittsburgh Pirates. He showed potential during the 2019 season with 15 doubles and 15 home runs as well as an average above .275. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been sustainable.
Luplow’s career numbers still fall at just .222/.327/.452, but this season has been his worst yet. He flashed some power early in the year with seven home runs, but his average at .173 won’t make up for it. That paired with the injuries make it a tough sell.
Having just started a rehab assignment, Luplow might be back by the deadline, but that doesn’t mean there will be teams interested. Of these three, he might have the best shot at drawing interest, but the odds are still slim.
Austin Hedges, C, Cleveland Indians
So far this season the Cleveland Indians have received nearly no offensive production from the catcher position, no matter who is behind the plate. The team’s best shot to get something at the plate from the slot lies with Roberto Perez who showcased his ability during the 2019 season with 24 home runs. Beyond Perez, it’s basically the same result with a different name attached.
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For that reason, Austin Hedges might be expendable in the eyes of Cleveland’s front office. While Rene Rivera and Ryan Lavarnway have moved on, the Tribe did add Wilson Ramos. Ramos is just as steady defensively as Hedges and the offensive production is probably a bit better as well. Not by much, but just enough that trading Hedges would be worth it.
Cleveland got Hedges as part of the Mike Clevinger trade last season, so moving him via trade isn’t impossible. The only problem is that his numbers are somehow worse this year than last.
If there’s a team out there that is in dire need of a defensive catcher, than Hedges is the perfect fit, but how often are teams looking for that? Rarely do teams get a lot of offensive production from the catcher position, but they like to have stats above the Mendoza line at least. While moving Hedges makes sense for Cleveland, finding him a landing spot won’t be as easy. The move for him might be down to Columbus.