MLB Trade Deadline Rumors 2017: 5 moves the Indians need to make

MLB Trade Deadline 2017: 5 trades the Indians should make

CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 6: Bench coach Brad Mills celebrates with Lonnie Chisenhall #8 and Erik Gonzalez #9 of the Cleveland Indians after the Indians defeated the San Diego Padres at Progressive Field on JULY 6, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Padres 9-2. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

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ARLINGTON, TX – JULY 25: Dan Straily #58 of the Miami Marlins throws against the Texas Rangers in the first inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on July 25, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

3. Trade for Dan Straily

The Indians are set at the top of their rotation with Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco. Mike Clevinger has also been a solid surprise, posting a 3.20 ERA in 14 games. Danny Salazar is a total wild card, and the Indians have no idea what he will give them down the stretch. Josh Tomlin and Trevor Bauer have been the real problems in the Cleveland rotation.

Bauer and Tomlin have combined to go 15-17 on the year with a 5.58 ERA. The Indians offense has been able to stay in most of the games started by their back-end starters, but that will not be good enough down the stretch. It’s time to look for an answer on the trade market to upgrade the spot currently occupied by Bauer/Tomlin.

The Miami Marlins are still a complete mess, but they do appear to have settled on a decision to trade starter Dan Straily. The Indians do not need to trade for an ace like Yu Darvish or Sonny Gray at the deadline, but a more capable mid-tier arm like Straily could help their chances to stay on top of the AL Central. In 21 starts with Miami, Straily is 7-6 with a 3.84 ERA. He also went 14-8 last season with a 3.76 ERA.

Straily has battled through injuries that threatened to derail his career before it ever got going. He is a capable starter with experience pitching in a pennant race from his time in Oakland. The Royals also have interest in Straily — another reason for the Indians to at least evaluate what it would take to acquire him.

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