Dodgers, Indians Engaged In ‘Lots of Different Discussions’

If it feels like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cleveland Indians have been linked together for a potential trade for years now, it’s because they have. This offseason is no different, as Ken Rosenthal reports the teams are in talks.

#Indians, #Dodgers engaged in “lots of different discussions,” sources tell The Athletic. LA likes CLE SPs and C Yan Gomes also would fit. CLE needs OFers; LAD has Pederson, Puig, Verdugo, plus young catching. Both clubs also talking to others. LAD in mix for #Marlins’ Realmuto.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 21, 2018

The Indians are coming off an AL Central title and a first-round postseason exit. It’s been reported that the team could be looking to rebuild or retool this winter.

It’s fair to assume that the Dodgers would be interested in Corey Kluber, as well as Carlos Carrasco, Mike Clevinger or Trevor Bauer. A package with a starting pitcher and Gomes would be costly but would fill a need and add a strong right-hander to a left-handed heavy rotation.

Yasmani Grandal rejected the Dodgers qualifying offer and he’s not expected to return. That leaves the team with Austin Barnes, Rocky Gale, Kyle Farmer and the newly added Keibert Ruiz on the 40-man roster. Of the four, Barnes would be the expected starter but he’s coming off a down year.

Gomes was an All-Star this past season and finished the year at .266/.313/.449 with 26 doubles, 16 home runs, 48 RBI and 2.6 WAR. He has one more year on his deal with two team options in 2020-2021.

Kluber is a two-time Cy Young Award winner who’s coming off a season in which he made 33 starts with a 20-7 record, 2.89 ERA, 3.12 FIP and 222 strikeouts in 215 innings pitcher. The right-hander would be relatively cheap in terms of salary as he is owed $17M this upcoming season with two team options in 2020-2021 at $17.5M and $18M, respectively,

Carrasco, Clevinger and Bauer all threw over 175 innings with 200+ strikeouts and an ERA under 3.50. Each would present a right-handed option near the top of the rotation.