Fansided

10 trades contenders should make prior to MLB Trade Deadline

By Dan Schmelzer

May 15, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) celebrates his solo home run in the seventh inning against the New York Mets at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
May 15, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) celebrates his solo home run in the seventh inning against the New York Mets at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Edwin Encarnacion
Apr 15, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion rounds the bases after hitting his second home run of the game during the seventh inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Cleveland Indians Trade for Toronto Blue Jays Designated Hitter Edwin Encarnacion

With both Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion set to hit free agency this off season, the Toronto Blue Jays are going to have some extremely difficult decisions to make soon. While the team will look to sign both players to an extension, they are two of the premier sluggers in the game. Bringing them both back is going to be incredibly costly.

If the Blue Jays continue to slip in the AL East standings, I think Encarnacion will be made available in a trade. If Toronto is able to get on track and are easy contenders at the deadline, I doubt he is moved, but it is certainly possible if they continue to play under .500 baseball.

The Cleveland Indians have had a nice start to the season, and appear to be surprising competitors in the AL Central. However, if they are going to keep up with teams like the White Sox and Royals, the Indians are going to have to make a move or two at the deadline. With a ton of raw power, Encarnacion is exactly the kind of player who the Indians should be targeting.

Encarnacion is one of the best middle-of-the-order sluggers in all of baseball, and is set to get paid a huge contract this off season. Backed by a strong pitching staff and a talented offense, Encarnacion could be the slugger who can put this team over the top.

I like this Indians’ squad and think that they should make an aggressive move to improve at the deadline. Spending on an elite-level rental in Encarnacion to come in and be their full-time DH would be a strong move by the Indians.

Next: 6. Chicago Cubs

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