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Los Angeles Dodgers Rumors: Five potential LA-bound trade options

By Paul Ashley

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 30: Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets celebrates after defeating the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on September 30, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Mets won 1-0. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 30: Noah Syndergaard #34 of the New York Mets celebrates after defeating the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on September 30, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. The Mets won 1-0. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Indians, Dodgers Rumors
(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

As the Cleveland Indians are rumored to be listening to offers for key players on their roster, the Dodgers may be able to acquire a reliever that would greatly impact the end of many important games.

The Cleveland Indians acquired Brad Hand and Adam Cimber from the Padres in exchange for a top prospect in Francisco Mejia prior to the trade deadline last season.  Nonetheless, as the organization is rumored to be willing to entertain offers for veteran players such as Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Edwin Encarnacion, Yan Gomes, and Jason Kipnis, it is a possibility that Hand could be LA-bound with the right offer.

Hand is currently signed through the 2020 season on a three-year, $19.75 million contract with a team option for the 2021 season.  As he has earned an All-Star appearance in each of the last two seasons with a 3.11 FIP and a 1.018 WHIP during this time, this is an extremely reasonable contract.

However, as Hand has finished 90 games over the past three seasons with 321 strikeouts through 240.2 innings pitched, he would be a phenomenal set-up man for Kenley Jansen.  As a strong bullpen will continue to be a major part of earning a victory in big games, it would be worth it for the Dodgers to do everything possible to obtain a reliever such as Hand.

Although the free agent market will contain late inning options such as Craig Kimbrel and Andrew Miller, the available relievers may be too expensive for the potentially cost-conscious Dodgers.  Due to this, pursuing a trade for a top-notch reliever with a reasonable salary may be the best course of action for the team.

The Indians will surely demand a high return as sending Mejia to San Diego was likely a very difficult decision for the front office last season.  However, if Hand improves the Dodgers chances at returning to the World Series for a third straight year in 2019, it would be worth sending out a top prospects for a talented reliever that will remain under team control through 2021.

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