Indians trading Adam Plutko to Orioles brought clarity to Cleveland’s bullpen

The Indians traded Adam Plutko to the Orioles and brought clarity to both the bullpen and starting rotation to begin the 2021 season.

The Cleveland Indians had major questions all over the roster during spring training. One key group in focus was the bullpen.

Adam Plutko was one player fighting for a job as a long reliever. The veteran has held that role and also served as a starter with the Indians since 2018. However, the stakes were high this time around as he was out of minor league options. That meant he either needed to make the Opening Day roster or be moved via a release or trade.

He was ultimately traded Saturday in a move that sends him seeking a fresh start with the rebuilding Baltimore Orioles. This minor deal also brought a ton of clarity to the entire pitching staff in Cleveland.

Trading Adam Plutko opened up several possibilities

The bullpen and the final spot in the starting rotation are now set.

The Indians had Triston McKenzie, Logan Allen, and Cal Quantrill all fighting for roster spots. McKenzie seemed set to snag one starting spot, with Allen and Quantrill competing for the other. With Plutko on the roster the loser of the competition was poised to be sent to the minors.

Trading Plutko allows the team to carry all three pitchers and put Quantrill in the bullpen to begin the season.

This was also the best move for all sides. The 29-year-old Plutko heads to a rebuilding team in Baltimore where he can land either in the rotation or the bullpen. He is an ideal pitcher for a team in transition and can get a full season of work in to build his own resume this season.

The Indians, meanwhile, get to go with younger pitchers over someone like Plutko who has had several years to try to prove himself. He just never did enough in limited action and now gets a chance to prove himself in Baltimore.