It’s been tossed around that Cleveland is shopping their shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera. It is also common knowledge that Arizona wants to trade their own star player, Justin Upton. It’s equally common knowledge that the Diamondbacks really want a shortstop. And what’s even more plain to public perception is the Texas Rangers’ desire to find a power bat to take Josh Hamilton’s place.
That seems like decent grounds for a trade, right?
The supposed proposed trade would have sent Cabrera to Arizona, Upton to Texas and rising stars Mike Olt and Trevor Bauer to Cleveland.
What on Earth is wrong with Cleveland?
I know that it’s a three-team trade, so everybody has to be on board with it, but come on, make this trade.
The Indians are going nowhere fast, with a 68-94 record that included a -178 run differential that was the worst in the Major League for every team not named the Houston Astros. There is likely no hope of a big turnaround either. Detroit will once again be a World Series contender, Chicago should be around the same and Kansas City has sacrificed a lot to upgrade their roster. The Indians will have a tough go at it in their division.
This team is almost like the Phoenix Suns of the NBA. They don’t have a whole lot of youth for a bad team.
Their rotation is a mess. At best their numbers 1-3 would be 4-5 guys for an average ball club, so there is definitely room for improvement there. Their infield, and really their outfield — just all their position players in general, could use some work. Carlos Santana and Jason Kipnis seem like keepers for the long haul, but outside of that there isn’t much long-term value.
Their rotation is a mess, their position players are sub-par at best, hmmm, wouldn’t it make sense to acquire a third baseman and starting pitcher who could carry a team? Everyone knows that this blueprint works. Detroit built around their MVPs and now have a championship-caliber ball club to show for it. Besides, giving up Cabrera isn’t a big deal –yes, he’s a huge part of everything they do offensively and defensively, but he’s 27 years old. At best they might be close to contending in four to six years, and Cabrera would be at least 31 by that time. Sell high while you have the chance. Get the future star at first base, get the future ace of your staff. Build a foundation for goodness sake, Cleveland.
Whenever Cleveland does decide to trade Cabrera for high-end prospects (yells from the back: “Olt and Bauer, Cleveland, Olt and Bauer,) it will be a pretty good return on Eduardo Perez.
