The Cleveland Indians are sitting right around the .500 mark as the 2021 MLB trade deadline nears.
And with a new name change announced, there is no telling what the team will do.
Selling off some key pieces seems likely, but ownership may want to make a splash with the Guardians brand set to take over later this year.
Let’s look at a few predictions for the upcoming deadline.
3. Jose Ramirez Rumors Fade Away
The fact Jose Ramirez is on the Indians makes him a trade candidate.
Update on José Ramírez: At this point, there aren’t active talks between Cleveland and other @MLB clubs on a Ramírez trade. The asking price is extremely high due to the contractual control mentioned here. ⬇️ @MLBNetwork https://t.co/3PAnL7Vr2C
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 25, 2021
Several national reporters have brought up the possibility, but there never seems to be any weight behind the rumors.
His name is floated as someone who could be traded, which is true for anyone.
Ramirez has two cheap club option years left on his contract and that makes him valuable to the Indians, let alone other MLB teams.
The actual focus for the organization should be figuring out his long-term extension, and ignoring any calls that come in about the star of the team.
2. Bryan Shaw Is Traded Away
Bryan Shaw has seen his career rebound in 2021 with the Indians.
He originally left the team back before the 2018 season on a nice three-year deal with the Colorado Rockies.
That experiment was a disaster and he was released last summer.
What followed was a short, forgettable stint with the Seattle Mariners.
But Colorado paid Shaw $27 million and the Indians decided to give him another shot this year.
He has responded with a 2.84 ERA in 45 games and a 10.8 K/9.
#Indians RHP Bryan Shaw threw a cutter today 98.2 mph. 🔥🔥🔥
— Indians Prospective (@indiansPro) May 12, 2021
The thing about Shaw is that he could be traded away as a rental and still likely be re-signed by the Indians next year.
That is if both sides were interested in another reunion.
He has played his best baseball in Cleveland and the team gave him a shot again this year.
Shaw is only 33 years old and could provide value this year in the form of a nice prospect or two.
1. Eddie Rosario Is Moved
There is just no logical reason to keep Eddie Rosario on the roster anymore.
He signed a one-year, $8 million deal and has not lived up the billing at all.
Trading him is about more than just saving some cash.
It is about giving younger players more time in the lineup.
Players like Oscar Mercado, Bradley Zimmer, Daniel Johnson, and Harold Ramirez can be the primary outfielders, with Jordan Luplow joining the mix again soon.
Nolan Jones could even be called up and placed in left field to see what he can do in an MLB setting.
It comes down to what the Indians can get in return for Rosario.
However, even just one prospect would be worth it given his play so far in 2021.
Another team may see him as someone who just needs a change of scenery, and that could ultimately be the case.
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