This Dodgers-Indians Trade for Mike Clevinger Could Actually Work
By Michael Luciano
With Corey Kluber already booted out of the door and Francisco Lindor subject to a barrage of trade rumors daily, it appears that the Cleveland Indians are eyeing a rebuild, as blossoming young starter Mike Clevinger's name has been making the rounds in the rumor mill, too. The Los Angeles Dodgers, looking for a boost in their rotation, could look to swoop in for the Indians starter, who went 13-4 with a 2.71 ERA last year.
Mike Clevinger Contract
Clevinger will make $4.5 million this year before going into arbitration for the next two years. He will be an unrestricted free agent before the 2023 season.
Mike Clevinger Rumors
The pitching-hungry San Diego Padres have been checking in on Clevinger's availability, in addition to the Dodgers. Everybody on the west coast wants Sunshine, it turns out.
Mike Clevinger Drawing Trade Interest https://t.co/CGXWi8M1g8 pic.twitter.com/ak4Kto7cLP
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) December 19, 2019
Cleveland will assuredly ask for some sort of MLB-proven compensation in a Clevinger trade, and former All-Star Ross Stripling would certainly suffice.
Top pitching prospect Dustin May might be off limits, but the Dodgers have more than enough prospects to part with. No. 4 prospect Josiah Gray, who ranks No. 75 in baseball according to MLB Pipeline, has four plus pitches and posted a 2.28 ERA across three minor league levels.
The logjam of infielders in LA could make top prospect Jeter Downs expendable, and power-hitting outfielder DJ Peters could be the final piece to make this trade work.
Jeter Downs (SS) and Josiah Gray (RHP) were both apart of a trade to get rid of the Puig, Alex Wood and Farmer a year ago. The Dodgers should definitely be offering up those two prospects for Lindor and Clevinger.
— The Triple Play Podcast (@thetripleplay18) December 15, 2019
Would take more but that's a starting point.
Clevinger is two days away from turning 29 and has improved every season he's been in the majors, so LA needs to be aggressive if they want to facilitate a trade.