The Indians have dangled the carrot of there being an opening to trading one of (if not more) of their star players this offseason, including pitchers Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco.
The New York Yankees, always in the mood for wheeling and dealing, are reportedly ready to take a bite of that carrot.
Jon Heyman tweeted Tuesday morning that the Yankees have an interest in both Kluber and Carrasco, and that the two teams will have a chat about them at the MLB GM Meetings, which began today and will wrap up on Thursday.
The Indians asking price for the two pitchers is unknown, but one would think it would have to be high considering that Kluber is under contract to the Indians till the 2022 season, this season is due to make $15 million, a deal for a two-time Cy Young award winner and the ace of any staff.
As for Carrasco, he’s inked till 2021, and is due to make $9.75 million in 2019. Another very affordable deal for a pitcher who over the last two seasons has gone 35-16.
If you’re wondering, here’s a couple players that the Indians might look at if there’s a real chance they might give up one of their two top pitchers.
1. Pitcher Justus Sheffield – He’s a former Indians prospect who was dealt in the deal to get Andrew Miller a few years back.
Here’s a quick report on Sheffield:
Sheffield could have three plus pitches when all is said and done. His 92-97 mph fastball features some run and sink and is his most consistent offering, though his mid-80s slider may have more upside. His changeup isn’t as reliable as his first two options, yet he still shows the ability to miss bats with it.
Though Sheffield is a little shorter than desired for a starter at 5-foot-11, he still creates downhill plane with his delivery and doesn’t throw with excessive effort. He’s athletic and has been durable as a pro outside of his oblique injury. He improved his control in 2017 and has the potential to become a No. 3 starter.
2. Infielder Gleyber Torres – Would for sure soften the blow if the Indians dealt Kluber or Carrasco, and the fact he hit .271 with 24 homers and 77 runs batted in, he would be a rising star at 21 years old who could be a great fit for the future of the franchise.
3. OF Estevan Florial – He’s only in high A ball, but with the Indians issues at the outfield spot, it wouldn’t be a shock to see them try and stockpile outfielders if they dealt one of their two top hurlers.
4. Pitcher Chance Adams – This 24-year-old was 4-5 with a .444 ERA in AAA for the Yankees, starting 23 games last season for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He had offseason surgery the year before, which caused his velocity to go down a notch, but many think he’ still got a bright future.
5. 3B Miguel Andujar – This 23-year-old hit .297 with the Yankees last season, hitting 27 homers and driving in 92 runs. Again a Major League ready player who could come right in to play third base, shifting Jose Ramirez over to second base like he did when the team got Josh Donaldson last August.
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