Fansided

One waiver trade deadline deal every MLB team should make

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Jul 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels and manager Jeff Banister (28) speak to media before the game between the Rangers and the San Francisco Giants at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels and manager Jeff Banister (28) speak to media before the game between the Rangers and the San Francisco Giants at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 31
Next
Jul 27, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana (41) reacts after striking out during the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 27, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana (41) reacts after striking out during the seventh inning against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

After trading away first baseman/outfielder Brandon Moss and lefty reliever Marc Rzepczynski in July and dealing veterans Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn in August, the Cleveland Indians are in a full-blown roster restructuring process. The Indians added overpaid third baseman Chris Johnson in the trade that sent Swisher and Bourn to Atlanta in hopes that a change of scenery helps the 30-year old Johnson regain the form he had in 2013 when he hit .321/.358/.457.

There’s plenty of young talent in Cleveland – specifically shortstop Francisco Lindor, outfielder Michael Brantley and four strong starting pitchers – but there are plenty of holes as well. In order to acquire a few missing pieces in hopes of becoming a playoff contender in 2016, the Tribe will likely try to trade one or two spare parts in August.

One of the prime candidates is Carlos Santana. The former catcher turned third baseman turned first baseman/designated hitter is set to earn $8.5 million in 2016 and has a $12 million team option with a $1.2 million buyout set for 2017. That means he’s likely to pass through waivers because the former star is hitting just .229/.357/.383 with 12 home runs in 106 games this season.

But who would want Santana? One possibility is the Boston Red Sox, who could use a first baseman for 2016. A prospect and a player to be named appear to be a fair price if the Sox take the majority of Santana’s salary.

Next: Colorado Rockies

Home/Arizona Diamondbacks