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MLB rumors: 5 teams that should begin a rebuild

By Benjamin Chase

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 05: Francisco Lindor #12 and Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Indians look on against the Houston Astros during Game One of the American League Division Series at Minute Maid Park on October 5, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 05: Francisco Lindor #12 and Jose Ramirez #11 of the Cleveland Indians look on against the Houston Astros during Game One of the American League Division Series at Minute Maid Park on October 5, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – JULY 16: Yan Gommes #7, Corey Klubber #28, Trevor Bauuer #47, Francisco Linddor #13, Jose Rammirez #11, and Michael Branttley #23 of the Cleveland Indians pose for a photo during the Gatorade All-Star Workout Day at Nationals Park on Monday, July 16, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

This offseason will start plenty of MLB rumors of teams that are going to tear down and start a rebuild. Here are five that should.

Multiple teams recently have made it to the playoffs after a rebuild. The MLB rumors say that multiple teams will begin teardowns this winter to begin a rebuild. We’ll explore 5 teams that should tear down, starting with one team that was in the playoffs this season.

Cleveland Indians

The Indians were just put through a rough sweep at the hands of the defending World Series champions. Many felt coming into the postseason that the Indians were the weakest of the postseason teams that had won a division. However, after making the postseason, why blow things up?!

This offseason will bring multiple players hitting the free agent market that are vital pieces of the Cleveland Indians foundation. With Andrew Miller, Cody Allen, and Oliver Perez all free agents out of the bullpen, the MLB rumors have already begun about significantly the Indians bullpen will be affected by the loss of those arms. Add in outfielders Melky Cabrera, Lonnie Chisenhall, and Michael Brantley, and you have some huge holes to fill with a very limited budget.

The current Cleveland Indians team is built around young power arms in the rotation and their two elite infielders in Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez. After 2019, veterans Edwin Encarnacion, Jason Kipnis, Corey Kluber, Dan Otero, and Yonder Alonso will each have options for the 2020 season.

Those option seasons would make each of those players extremely valuable in a trade market that is going to be seeking big arms heavily. Carlos Carrasco has two option seasons (2019, 2020), Trevor Bauer has two arbitration seasons, and Kluber is under contract for 2019 with two option years (2020, 2021) that would make them incredibly valuable trade properties on the market.

The Indians signed Jose Ramirez long-term last offseason, and there have already been MLB rumors that Francisco Lindor will be extended this offseason to buy out his arbitration years. Those two along with Mike Clevinger, who doesn’t even face arbitration until after 2019, and one of the three starters mentioned earlier chosen as a key long-term piece would be excellent as a foundation to build around.

The Indians farm system currently does not have a lot to offer in depth, though there are some solid players overall. Making a pair of their starters available as well as Encarnacion, Kipnis, and Alonso would allow the Indians to build some very solid depth in their farm system for a long-term healthy position for the team.

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