After this month’s fiasco regarding the Indians and two of their pitchers breaking COVID-19 protocol, the team is left with an interesting question in whether or not to trade SP Mike Clevinger.
Breaking protocol
Clevinger joined teammate and fellow pitcher Zach Plesac in going out to meet some friends after a game in Chicago. This was obviously against the league guidelines, and they returned to the hotel past curfew. The Indians were notified of the situation but were only aware of Plesac being gone. Clevinger stayed in a team meeting and defended him, but did not inform the team that he was also present. The two were demoted to the Lake County Captains, an affiliate of the Indians.
Clevinger owned up to his mistake and was apologetic, but Plesac posted a 6-minute video detailing how disgusted he was by the media for portraying the teammates as bad people. He then proceeded to explain his side of the story. This was pretty much just a longer version of what was reported by literally every news source, but I digress.
Regardless, Adam Plutko was vocal in his disdain for their actions, stating, “They hurt us bad. They lied to us. They sat here in front of you guys and publicly said things that they didn’t follow through on.” It’s especially hurtful when you consider that teammate Carlos Carrasco recently recovered from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which puts him at a much higher risk for severe sickness from the novel coronavirus.
On-field production
At that point it was up to Clevinger to redeem himself, starting against the division-rival Twins. Clev went 6 innings, allowing eight hits, but only two earned runs along with six strikeouts.
He’s helped contribute to the league’s best starting rotation. Their staff leads the league in ERA and has helped carry an offense that’s 24th in batting average and 23rd in runs per game, which was boosted by a 14-run outing against the Cardinals on Friday.
Assessing value
Since making his debut in 2016, he’s put up an impressive win-loss record of 42-22, with an earned run average of 3.20 and 584 strikeouts. He’d be an ace for most of the league but is Cleveland’s 2nd or 3rd best pitcher. Cleveland can afford to move on from him, as Plesac and Aaron Civale have solidified themselves as consistent starting pitchers. After two promising starts, Triston McKenzie is also looking to be a focal point of Cleveland’s pitching staff.
Put simply, Clevinger holds a lot more value than Plesac does. As previously mentioned, the Tribe could definitely use an extra bat. Their outfield also continues to be a carousel, with injuries and demotions leading to inconsistent lineups. There have been rumors of looking to add Boston’s Jackie Bradley Jr. Boston is last in the league in starting pitcher ERA, so I’m sure they’d love to add Clevinger to the mix.
That being said, I have a hard time thinking the Indians would trade “Sunshine” to the American League, as they hold sole possession of first place in the Central division. However, Boston is nowhere near the playoff picture, so they won’t have to worry about facing him and the Red Sox in the playoffs at least for this year.
Building the perfect trade
Francisco Lindor is signed through the remainder of this season to avoid arbitration and faces the same scenario for 2021. He becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2022. There’s basically zero chance he resigns, as Paul Dolan told fans to “enjoy him” while he’s still on the team. To generate some value, one of the league’s brightest stars could be dealt in a blockbuster package along with Mike Clevinger.
One team that has a lot to offer in return is the Colorado Rockies. Here’s my package idea.
SS Francisco Lindor, SP Mike Clevinger, #14 prospect OF Daniel Johnson
FOR
OF Charlie Blackmon, SS Trevor Story, cash considerations
I’m going to be real. This trade is not very realistic but hey, a guy can dream. This trade could honestly be one of the biggest in MLB history.
Trevor Story is also arguably the league’s best shortstop, and Blackmon is one of the MLB’s best players, who happens to lead the league in batting average. Lindor is in the midst of a down year, but is still phenomenal and is pretty much even with Story. Story is having a great year right now, but 30 games is a small sample size to determine how a normal 162-game season would go.
The Rockies gain their undoubted ace and add a promising outfield prospect. Colorado is also able to drop Blackmon’s massive contract, which he signed back in 2018. He’s in his third year of a 6 year, $108 million dollar contract.
The Indians can take this up while not having to drop a mega deal on Lindor, and help restructure an extension on Story’s 2 years, $27-million contract.
“Probably the day when we do a deal like that is when somebody else is doing $1-billion deals with somebody else,” Dolan said, in response to the idea of paying Lindor upwards of $300 million. By spreading that out between two stars, he might relish the idea better.
This deal is MASSIVE but truly does benefit both teams in the long run. However, you never know, Clevinger might just remain a member of the Indians after the trade deadline ends August 31st.