Cleveland Indians: 1 trade to make and 1 trade to avoid at the trade deadline

Cleveland Indians: 1 trade to make and 1 trade to avoid at the trade deadline

The trade deadline in Major League Baseball is rapidly approaching, now less than two weeks away. Given the up-and-down last few weeks for the Cleveland Indians, the team could still up on either side of the deadline. They have weaknesses to fill as buyers should they decide to buy into competing, but they also have tradable assets if they opt to be sellers.

Regardless of what side of the trade deadline the Tribe end up on, there’s one thing they have to do and one thing they must avoid at all costs. Whether they want to be in contention this season or not, these two ideas will play a role in both this season and setting up the future of the club moving forward.

Before we reach the trade deadline the Cleveland Indians still have 10 games to play against some of the top competition in the league. After finishing off the series in Oakland, the Tribe will have to then face the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays for the next seven games for the second time this month.

The first time around saw Cleveland drop all seven games with two consecutive sweeps. Luckily, the team has gained back a few players healthy, but it will still be a tough task. That means that by the trade deadline we could have a more clear view of where the Tribe will stand in any deadline deal they get involved in.

Over the last couple weeks we’ve documented the top needs of the Tribe at the deadline as well as one prospect they should absolutely not move, no matter what. Expanding on those ideas, at the trade deadline the Cleveland Indians need to use this as a guide to how to approach the trade deadline. Not only does it allude to one move that is an absolute must, but another that could significantly hurt the progression of the team.