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MLB Trade Deadline: 5 trades Indians should make

By Parker Hurley

Sep 24, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians designated hitter Yan Gomes (right) celebrates his three-run home run with left fielder Michael Brantley (23) and first baseman Carlos Santana (41) in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians designated hitter Yan Gomes (right) celebrates his three-run home run with left fielder Michael Brantley (23) and first baseman Carlos Santana (41) in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 19, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (20) singles against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 19, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (20) singles against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Pirates won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Jonathan Lucroy

The Yan Gomes injury hurts, but truly only defensively. Gomes has a strong arm, and runners do not typically test him. He also has a strong report with most of the starting pitchers, and has been known as a good pitch framer.

Offensively, he hurts the team. This season he has made 71 starts and posts a WAR of -0.6. Roberto Perez and Chris Gimenez, the two candidates to replace Gomes have made 45 starts this season and have a WAR of -0.4.

This should tell you two things; the Indians do not need Gomes, but they also should be looking to upgrade at catcher moving forward. In that regard, Lucroy is their perfect fit.

This season Lucroy has a .303 batting average on the lowly Brewers. He has 13 home runs and has a WAR of 2.7. The Indians combined have 10 home runs from the catcher position with Gomes posting a .194 average, and Perez with a .207. The upgrade would be night and day.

He is a veteran, and a strong defensive catcher, so he can easily adjust to this rotation. He only has a club option for next season, but it is five million dollars and any team would be crazy not to pay that. They can see how he fits with the team this season, and try to work out an extension in the off-season.

If it does not work out, they can trade him this off-season, and can hope for Gomes to improve at the plate. Or they just play him out for five million dollars, try to make two World Series runs with him as the starting catcher and if it does work out it was still worth the shot. It is the ultimate going for it move, and the Indians should be going for it.

Next: 2. Will Smith

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