MLB Trade Rumors: Indians, Mariners Could Deal All-Stars For Right Price In 2018-2019 Offseason

The Cleveland Indians and Seattle Mariners will likely find themselves at the center of trade rumors throughout the MLB offseason. According to multiple reports, the two teams could potentially deal some of their best players this winter.

ESPN’s Buster Olney reported over the weekend that the Indians would listen to offers for many of their veterans. According to Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan, the Mariners are considering a “full-fledged teardown,” which might mean moving several key players.

Cleveland infielders Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez are probably the two best players on either roster, and it doesn’t appear that the Indians have any interest in moving them. That still leaves plenty of veterans that could make a significant impact if traded to a contender.

Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco should draw plenty of interest if the Indians indicate they are prepared to move them.

Kluber, 32, is one of three finalists for the AL Cy Young Award for the fourth time in five seasons. He was tabbed as the league’s best pitcher in both 2014 and 2017. Kluber has pitched to a 2.85 ERA over the last five years with at least 203.2 innings and 222 strikeouts in each season. He’s got a pretty affordable contract with $52.5 million coming to him over the next three years.

Carrasco, 31, isn’t on the same level as Kluber, but he’s been among MLB’s most consistent pitchers in recent years. He’s posted an ERA between 3.29 and 3.63 in each of the last four years. The veteran will make less than $10 million in both 2019 and 2020.

First baseman Edwin Encarnacion could also be dealt. The 35-year-old hasn't hit fewer than 32 home runs in a season since 2011.

Yes, the Indians will listen to trade offers for Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, etc., but two things to remember:
1. They aren't trading all of them, and they aren't trading Lindor or Ramirez
2. No matter who they trade, they will enter 2019 as prohibitive favorites in AL Central
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 3, 2018

Now, blowing things up in Seattle is subject to return. Jean Segura’s no-trade would need to be worked around. Return for Mitch Hanover, James Paxton and Edwin Diaz would need to be massive. But Mariners are in that awful no-man’s land where they’re good but not good enough.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 6, 2018

Seattle doesn’t have an MVP or Cy Young finalist on their roster, but they’ve got several players that would draw interest on the trade market. Reliever Edwin Diaz and outfielder Mitch Haniger both made the 2018 All-Star team. James Paxton is an above-average starting pitcher when healthy.

The price would be high for all three players, considering each one is in their 20s and still a few years away from hitting free agency.

Cleveland and Seattle both fielded good teams in 2018, but neither came close to reaching the World Series, The Indians cruised to a division title in a weak AL Central, but they were swept in the playoffs after a 91-win season. The Mariners’ 89 wins put them eight games out of a wild-card spot.

The Indians could trade one of their best players and still be considered the best team in the AL Central. There’s a significant gap between the Mariners and Houston Astros in the AL West, and one or two deals could knock them out of any kind of playoff contention.

Major league baseball