Remember the old line, “Say it ain’t so?”
That is what many Tribe fans are saying these days!
It has been a little more than one week since the Cleveland Indians dealt Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco to the New York Mets.
It is unfortunate for Indians fans, but Paul Dolan made it clear by shedding lots of payroll that the Tribe is in “sell-mode”.
One dreaded question all folks in C-town must face is, “will Jose Ramirez be the next big-time player traded?”
Good morning.
Please enjoy this postseason clinching walk-off home run, courtesy of José Ramirez and Tom Hamilton. pic.twitter.com/gJ9ij8GwJP
— Chief Wahoo (@ChiefWahoo47) September 23, 2020
Here are 3 trade possibilities if the Tribe front office decides to go this route.
1. Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves have not made a big free agent or trade splash in several years.
However, now may be the perfect time for Atlanta to sign a big name like Ramirez.
Braves fans are still sick about being “oh so close” to a World Series appearance!
The Atlanta front office knows that the team needs another big bat in the lineup to protect reigning MVP Freddie Freeman.
Landing Ramirez would assure all Atlanta die-hards that ownership is ready to “win now”.
Who could the Braves offer in return that would entice the Tribe to pull the trigger on a trade?
The Braves are blessed with a rich farm system so there are plenty of good options to choose from for Cleveland.
As we have mentioned before here on TribeDaily, the Indians desperately need help in the outfield.
Third Baseman / Left Fielder Austin Reilly would make a whole lot of sense considering he would provide much needed power!
If the Braves balk at giving up Reilly, Cleveland could go after either Drew Waters or Cristian Pache.
Both Pache and Waters are young, speedy, and have decent power potential.
Cristian Pache is showing out in the NLCS. pic.twitter.com/jSIA8xdGLC
— FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) October 16, 2020
2. Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers are desperate to add another good bat to protect All-Star Christian Yelich in the lineup.
Surprisingly, Milwaukee had one of the worst offenses in the National League last season.
The Brew Crew only averaged a tad over four runs per game on offense, which was the third worst in the league.
Ramirez’s salary of only 9 million in 2021 and 11 million in 2022 definitely falls in the affordable range for Milwaukee.
The main question is, “Does Milwaukee have enough high-level prospects?”
Possible fits could be Catcher Mario Feliciano or newly drafted Outfielder Garrett Mitchell.
Congratulations, Mario Feliciano🇵🇷
• 113 games
• 273 BA (11th)
• 19 home runs (1st)
• 78 RBI (2nd)
• 798 OPS (5th)The Brewers’ 20-yr-old catching
prospect from Bayamon Puerto Rico
has been named the Carolina League
MVP #FarmTalent @feli_mario04 pic.twitter.com/cFhs3qxG6E— IKE Brewers Podcast (@IKE_Brewers) August 22, 2019
Both Feliciano and Mitchell rank as top-level prospects for the Brewers so putting them both in a deal may entice Cleveland to make the trade.
3. New York Yankees
The Yankees never shy away from trying to obtain big names.
Whether it is through free agency or the trading block, New York is always looking to make a big splash!
Landing Ramirez would indeed provide that big splash!
Money is never an issue for the Yanks and neither is giving up high level prospects.
New York would probably have to give up at least one of the highly touted outfielder prospects that they possess.
Names like Austin Wells and Jasson Dominguez could come up as trade pieces if New York wants Ramirez from the Tribe.
Happy 17th birthday to all universe Yankees prospect Jasson Dominguez. The world doesn’t understand what’s coming. pic.twitter.com/uJbg6TK2jU
— Eric Hubbs (@BarstoolHubbs) February 7, 2020
Will They or Won’t They?
Will the Indians pull the trigger on trading away yet another big name?
On one hand, Jose Ramirez’s contract is not overly expensive.
On the other hand, the Tribe needs to add loads of prospects to build for a brighter future.
Time will tell which direction the Indians decide to go.
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