There have been many trade rumors involving the Cleveland Indians due to their surplus of attractive starting pitchers. The Cubs, Yankees, Dodgers, Blue Jays and others have been mentioned as potential trade partners, but a deal will take a lot of work.
Many MLB clubs are interested in acquiring cost-controlled starting pitching, and the Indians have just that. In an offseason filled with absurdly priced starters, Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Danny Salazar, Trevor Bauer and Cody Anderson stand out as options on the trade market.
"First of all, know that such a trade would require a clear-cut, impact player coming back to the Indians," writes Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. "Cleveland is open to listening to offers that include its young, talented starting pitchers, but the club isn't going to weaken an area of strength unless it is the kind of deal a team can't walk away from."
"If the Indians were to pull the trigger on a trade that shipped one of their top Major League starters to another team, though, I'd also expect Cleveland to look for more depth options outside of the organization. The Tribe would likely be looking at the trade market, or potential non-tender candidates, to potentially add to its rotation depth."
Cleveland was rumored to be in talks with the Yankees about swapping a starting pitcher for outfielder Brett Gardner because the Indians are in need of outfielders following Michael Brantley's surgery. However, it's unlikely a player such as Gardner (and his price tag) would suffice for any of the aforementioned starters in a straight up deal.
Dodgers' outfielder Yasiel Puig has also been linked to the Indians because of his team-friendly contract and potentially high ceiling, but such a scenario will likely be put on hold after Puig's alleged involvement in a bar fight in Miami this week. He's reportedly under investigation by the MLB.
Other teams will have to get creative. Perhaps the Cubs have a decent shot since they can dangle outfielder Jorge Soler, which they've reportedly been doing in trade talks.
There aren't any good free agent outfield options in Cleveland's price range this offseason as Yoenis Cespedes, Justin Upton, Jason Heyward and Alex Gordon are likely too expensive. And with no outfield prospects in the upper levels of the minor leagues, the Indians will probably need to address this area of need on the trade market.
The Winter Meetings will begin on Dec. 6 and that's when a number of significant trades occur. At the very least, it's when a lot of the foundation for trade talks begin.
Don't be surprised if the Indians move one of their starters if they get the right offer within the next two weeks.
