Indians and Pirates Should Ignite MLB With This Gregory Polanco Trade

The Pittsburgh Pirates lost 93 games in 2019, and if there were a 162-game season this time around they'd probably be pegged to be one of the worst teams in the MLB once again.

The club is clearly headed for a rebuild, and trading outfielder Starling Marte to the Arizona Diamondbacks for two heralded prospects earlier in the offseason really expedited that process.

There's no reason for Pittsburgh not to unload the rest of their "stars" in exchange for young assets, and Gregory Polanco should be the next Pirate shipped out of town. Luckily for the franchise, the Cleveland Indians are in need of an outfielder.

If the Indians weren't bit so sternly by the injury bug last season they probably would have made the playoffs. The Tribe won 93 games, but finished three games off the pace for the second Wild Card spot. Adding Polanco, a player who hit .254/340/.499 with 23 home runs and 81 RBI in 2018, would be a massive boost.

Where Cleveland lucks out here is the fact that Polanco's value hasn't been any lower than it currently is. Injuries limited him to just 42 games last year, and when he played he wasn't at all productive.

Therefore, the Indians should be able to make a deal work by including second baseman Aaron Bracho (the team's No. 14-ranked prospect, according to MLB.com) as well as right-hander Carlos Vargas (the team's No. 22-ranked prospect). The Pirates can work with those two youngsters and develop them to be a part of the future.

Bracho and Vargas are both under 20 years old and possess much potential despite only logging minimal time in the minors.

Pittsburgh would further bolster its farm system and the Indians would acquire a much-needed reliable right fielder following Yasiel Puig's departure in free agency. Who says no?