Cleveland Indians fans need to do away with the concept of being a “buyer” or a “seller” at the MLB trade deadline.
The team is somewhere right in the middle.
Thus, veteran talent can be traded away and that does not mean the team is punting on the remainder of the season.
One obvious player who could be on the move is Eddie Rosario.
He has not done much all year and a team willing to take a chance on him would save the organization a few million dollars and also bring some sort of hopeful talent in return.
Yet another player worth keeping an eye on is Cesar Hernandez.
The veteran second baseman is tied for second on the team in home runs with 16, but also happens to be on an expiring deal.
Let’s look at a few reasons why a Hernandez trade makes sense.
What an at-bat!
What a hit!
Cesar Hernandez gives the @Indians the 1-0 lead in the 3rd inning! pic.twitter.com/XT02ym7WLR
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) July 22, 2021
Not Just A Rental
Hernandez would join a new team on a cheap deal that is paying him $5 million in 2021.
In addition, he has a $6 million club option for 2022 that includes no buyout.
So any team landing him is getting a veteran who is seemingly adding power at the plate and who could keep that going into 2022 on a low-cost deal.
This option should in turn have teams offering the Indians a bit more than what may come in a deal for someone like Rosario.
And if a team lands Hernandez and wants to move on, it costs them nothing.
Looking Toward The Future
Third straight game with a homer for top @Indians prospect Nolan Jones! pic.twitter.com/S0ismLqnTf
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 22, 2021
The key takeaway from a potential Hernandez trade is what it could mean for the future of the Indians organization.
If he is traded, Nolan Jones could finally be called up to take over at third base with Jose Ramirez shifting to second.
Jones remains the team’s top prospect and deserves a chance to prove himself soon.
If the Indians plan to keep Ramirez around on a long-term deal, we could be seeing the future of the infield with Jones at third, Ramirez at second, Bobby Bradley at first, and either Amed Rosario or Andres Gimenez at shortstop.
The latter shortstop could get another shot if the Indians want to put Rosario in the outfield due to all the injuries and a potential trade of Eddie Rosario.
Some fans may not like the idea of trading a key contributor on offense.
However, this trade makes sense if the Indians have no intention of picking up his club option in 2022.
That is something for the front office to determine over the next week.
If they want Hernandez around in 2022, keeping him makes sense and this exact scenario can be visited next year.
But questions still remain as to how Jones would fit in, with left field being the next likely option behind third base.
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