David Price, a Cleveland Indian?
Could David Price be traded to the Cleveland Indians, it may not be as impossible as you think. MLB Daily Dish’s Chris Cotillo reports that the Tribe have been focusing their scouting towards the Rays minor leaguers. Cotillo wonders if this could suggest that Cleveland is revisiting talks for David Price. It was reported early in the offseason that the Tribe and Rays discussed a possible Price-to-Cleveland deal that involved Carlos Santana and Danny Salazar. The Indians may need to add another piece into the trade, maybe Tyler Naquin, Dorssys Paulino, or Cody Anderson. The Tribe has said that Francisco Lindor is as close to untouchable as a player can be. So let’s look at what this trade would look like:
Tampa Bay Receives:
Carlos Santana
Danny Salazar
Tyler Naquin
Cleveland Receives:
David Price
Prospects
Would the Indians be giving up to much? I say no, Carlos Santana as good as he can be he’s only hitting .207 on the season, but his on-base % is .349. Santana still possesses good power and one of the best eyes at the plate along with being under contract until 2016. Danny Salazar was a player that in spring training many experts though would contend for multiple Cy Young’s, but once the season started, he lost the ability to throw strike’s and was sent down to Triple-A Columbus. Salazar has been pitching well in the past couple weeks and is only 24 years old. These two guys would obviously be the centerpiece of the trade, both players have strong upside, but to get a Cy Young winning pitcher you have to give up something. Tyler Naquin fits the bill of the high-to-mid level prospect, he will probably never amount to much in the majors, but could be a serviceable outfielder. So, if this trade were to happen what would the Indians lineup and pitching staff look like?
C: Yan Gomes
1B: Nick Swisher
2B: Jason Kipnis
SS: Asdrubal Cabrera
3B: Lonnie Chisenhall
LF: Michael Brantley
CF: Michael Bourn
RF: David Murphy
DH: Mike Aviles/Ryan Raburn/Chris Dickerson
SP: David Price
SP: Corey Kluber
SP: Trevor Bauer
SP: Justin Masterson
SP: Zach McAllister
Would this lineup get the Tribe to the playoffs? Maybe not, but having the Price-Kluber combination sure would look good in a playoff series. The Tribe might also have to swing a deal to bring in another bat, but also remember that Price is under team control until 2016. If the Tribe were to make this trade, Price is eligible for arbitration next offseason and is expected to make $19 million. The Tribe could easy trade him off and aquire more assets. Just food for thought.
–Chris Sladoje (@CST_Doje)
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
