Fansided

Five closers still on the trade market

By Thomas Conroy

May 3, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Andrew Miller (48) reacts with catcher Brian McCann (34) after defeating the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Andrew Miller (48) reacts with catcher Brian McCann (34) after defeating the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 10, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Cody Allen (37) and catcher Yan Gomes (10) celebrate the win against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Cleveland Indians won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 10, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Cody Allen (37) and catcher Yan Gomes (10) celebrate the win against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Cleveland Indians won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

4) Cody Allen – Cleveland Indians

Multiple teams have inquired about the availability of Cleveland Indians hard-throwing closer Cody Allen. Team GM Mike Chernoff is willing to listen to possible trade offers, but he will have to be floored by a proposal before agreeing to deal Allen.

The Indians were a disappointing 81-80 last season, and many observers feel the front office is ready to rebuild the roster with young, athletic ballplayers that will allow them the time to develop into a pennant-contending team a few years down the road.

Allen made his major league debut in July of 2012 and became a full-fledged member of the bullpen in a setup role the following season. He embraced the closer’s role very well after the Indians traded Chris Perez at the deadline in 2014, and many baseball fans might not have known the type of season Allen delivered in 2015. He had a superb year with a 2.02 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 34 saves despite having a rotten April that saw Allen’s ERA ballooned to 11.57 by month’s end.

He is entering his first year of arbitration, and is slotted to make approximately $3.5 million in 2016. This could be the leading factor on why the Indians might be willing to deal him this winter: because Allen is going to become an expensive problem in a few seasons, especially if he continues to pitch well late in games.

Allen is going to become an elite closer for years to come, but this is right opportunity for the Indians to accelerate their plan of getting younger and more athletic by acquiring necessary assets to achieve this goal in an under-the-radar trade.

Next: Jake McGee

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