It’s officially day two of the MLB Winter Meetings in Las Vegas, and all eyes continue to be on the Cleveland Indians and their process of looking to trade one of their two starting hurlers – Corey Kluber or Trevor Bauer.
Monday GM Chris Antonetti spoke to the media, and as Zack Meisel of The Athletic tweeted out, the GM stated that “the front office has not yet been given a specific payroll mandate,” but don’t let that fool you into thinking that the team is not going to make a big deal, and likely make it soon.
Dumping Kluber for some talent already to play at the Major League level, as well as a prospect or two seems to be the route most likely the team will take.
The two-time Cy Young award winner is due $17.5 million in 2019, with team options for $18 million in 2020 and $18.5 million in 2021.
The Dodgers got back in the mix according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network on Monday, and one piece that would have to be part of a deal for Kluber is that of young outfielder Alex Verdugo.
The 22-year-old prospect is the 32nd best prospect in all of baseball according to MLB.com, and some think he’s ready to be an everyday outfielder right now, filling a huge void for the Indians.
The last two years at the Triple-A level he’s hit a combined .321 with 16 homers and 86 walks. He’s a piece that makes perfect sense for the Indians based on their needs and his talent and upside.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman all but said that the Dodgers were almost a for sure to make a deal with one of their outfielders as well as one of their starters.
“I’d be surprised if that were the case,” Friedman said via the OC Register of being able to keep all their outfielders and pitchers.
“They’re all talented enough where things will line up and make sense (in a trade), where it works out well for our team and an acquiring team.
“If the return didn’t work for us, we wouldn’t (make a trade just to thin the group). But I can’t see that happening.”
Don’t be surprised to still hear the name of the two New York teams in the mix, as already the Yankees and Mets have been making plenty of waves at the meetings, and you never know, there could be a darkhorse or two in the mix for Kluber, while for now, there’s not been much chatter about Bauer and the chance of him being moved.
But it is Vegas, and if the Indians are willing to gamble, things can always change with one roll of the dice.
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