Cleveland Indians: 3 trade targets who could shock Tribe fan base

3 trade targets who could shock the Cleveland Indians fan base

After a rough start to the month of July, the Cleveland Indians have now won five of their last six games and have created much needed momentum heading into the next wave of tough games. With the next seven games being against the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays, the Tribe should have their trade deadline position come into clear view over the next week.

With that being said, should Cleveland become buyers there’s a list of players that should be on the club’s radar. The Tribe have a few clear cut needs on the roster that will need to be addressed if the team wants to compete down the stretch. Additionally, the front office should already have a few names in mind to go after.

Despite finding the win column again recently, the Tribe are still eight games back of the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central. That doesn’t exactly spell out buyers at the deadline. However, Cleveland is just 3.5 back of the Wild Card race meaning one or two additions could still be worth it, especially if the incoming players will be more than a rental.

The Cleveland Indians are currently chasing the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland A’s in the Wild Card, so this month has been, and will continue to be, key. Taking two of three from Oakland was a big step, but the series against Tampa will be even more important.

Should Cleveland come out of the Tampa series still in contention, then these three players should be at the top of the team’s radar. While they might be more ambitious trade targets than what the club has typically explored, they could make a huge difference down the stretch.

The price might be a bit higher, both in trade assets and payroll, but these three players would be well worth the investment.

Cleveland Indians Trade Target #2: Joey Gallo, 1B/OF, Texas Rangers

Depending on how much the Cleveland Indians front office is willing to offer in a deal, Joey Gallo could be a great target to pursue. Not only does his contract offer more than just an end-of-year rental, but he could check off multiple boxes at once for the Tribe.

Starting with his contract, Gallo is making $6.2 million this year and has one year of arbitration left on his deal after that, meaning he would most likely stay in Cleveland for the 2022 season should a trade happen. That extra year could be a bit pricey, but the Tribe are set to see Eddie Rosario’s contract clear the books after this season, wiping clean about $8 million the team is spending this year.

As for in the field, Gallo would nearly complete the outfield for this year once Rosario is back from the injured list. Rosario would resume left field, Gallo would take over right and Harold Ramirez can slide over to center full-time. Plus, Gallo has first base experience, a position that Cleveland currently doesn’t have a clear depth player for behind Bobby Bradley.

We haven’t even mentioned Gallo at the plate. While he’s known for his power, which has knocked 24 home runs already this year, Gallo is also leading all of baseball in walks with 72. His average is lower than you want at .237, but his power threat and ability to draw walks make up for it.

Even if Gallo draws a bit higher of a price, he is the perfect player for Cleveland to go after. He would stay beyond this season, fill multiple needs defensively and provide a huge power boost to a batting order that is slowly becoming more dangerous by the day as more players find their swing.

Cleveland Indians Trade Target #3: Kris Bryant, 1B/3B/OF, Chicago Cubs

Of the three players on this list, Kris Bryant might be the least likely to be acquired by the Cleveland Indians. While he checks off a lot of boxes, like position versatility and offensive production, he would most likely be a rental.

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The Tribe have brought in rentals before, whether it be Josh Donaldson or Yasiel Puig. The difference was that Donaldson was a cheap trade and Puig was part of a package deal that welcomed other assets. Bryant would take a bigger offer to acquire on his own and the Cubs won’t want to send multiple players in the same deal unless the return is very high.

Although, a deal to get both Bryant and Hendricks would solve nearly every issue Cleveland currently has. Bryant has played all over the field for Chicago and could slot in as a Marwin Gonzalez-type depth player that starts every day, just in a few different positions. Anywhere in the outfield as well as first are possibilities, giving him the same versatility, if not more, than Gallo. Not to mention that Bryant was formerly a third baseman.

Bryant can also do just about everything at the plate. This year he is slashing .265/.347/.490 with 17 doubles and 16 home runs while accumulating 46 RBI. But again, the issues lie in the price. Both of the trade and the contract.

An All-Star this season, Bryant will be highly touted on the trade market if he’s available. That paired with his $19.5 million contract for the year will be a hard sell to ownership, even if that entire contract won’t be taken on.

If Cleveland was all in for this season, Bryant would be the prime target. That’s not the case, though, making him seem the least likely of the trio. But we didn’t say impossible.