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 7: Mike Napoli #5 of the Texas Rangers looks on as the Rangers take on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Globe Life Park in Arlington on July 7, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

1. Trade for a thumper

The struggles of first baseman Carlos Santana has the Indians potentially in the market for an upgrade at the position or at the very least a power bat to come in and push him. This is the final year of Santana’s contract, and the Indians have no obligations to him going forward. Santana’s eye at the plate has been as good as ever, but he is hitting .240 with an OPS of .761.

The probability that the Indians take all of Santana’s at-bats away seems relatively low. His on-base skills still make him valuable in the lineup every day and he cannot slide to DH as Edwin Encarnacion is locked in there. Still, it’s not a move the Indians would have a hard time justifying to themselves.

With so many rental bats available on the market, the Tribe would not have a difficult time acquiring an offensive upgrade if they decided to go in that direction. The Detroit Tigers got a very underwhelming return for All-Star outfielder J.D. Martinez, setting the market very low for the rest of the league. Just to name a few, the Indians could consider Yonder Alonso, Jay Bruce, Mike Napoli or Alex Avila. An interesting player to watch is Justin Bour of the Marlins. There’s no way of telling what good ol’ Jeffrey Loria has planned for July 31. Of the names mentioned, Bruce and Avila are the most likely to be moved for a minor return.

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The Indians are now in a real fight for the AL Central crown, something no one would have predicted back in April. Injuries have been part of the problem, but so has underproduction from key players like Carlos Santana. The Indians cannot leave any stone unturned when looking for help at the deadline even if it means shaking up the starting lineup.

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