Indians Refusing to Name Any Young Starters 'Untouchable' Amid Trade Calls
By Adam Weinrib
The Cleveland Indians might just mess around and blow up the 2019 offseason.
Though the baseball world has decided superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor is available thanks to ownership's flippant comments last offseason and a self-imposed budget, the truth is that there are plenty more names on the table in The Land.
Stud starter Corey Kluber, potentially in the middle of regression, is readily available. But apparently, Cleveland's not stopping there in an effort to revamp their rotation.
Indians are receiving inquiries about their young starting pitchers (Bieber, Plesac, Civale, etc.) and have a no-untouchable policy. Will take a lot obvs but interesting.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 13, 2019
Perhaps an opportunity for new Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake to lobby for another chance with one of his star pupils?
Yes, even homegrown and inexpensive young stars like 2019 All-Star MVP Shane Bieber, Zac Plesac, and Aaron Civale could be available (and costly, but that's beside the point). What about Mike Clevinger? Somewhere in between Klubot and the kiddos, you'd have to assume he belongs in this conversation as well.
Aaron Civale, Filthy 95mph Two Seamer. ? pic.twitter.com/6MmZjEdblk
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 12, 2019
Naturally, the price point will be notably high here, but quality starting pitching is eternally at a premium, and Cleveland has an overload right now.
A few months after trading Trevor Bauer, mid-pennant race, to an in-state rival, the Tribe could once again prove that truly nothing is off their hypothetical table.