Cleveland Indians: Should the Indians Trade Corey Kluber to San Diego?

Should the Cleveland Indians trade their star, Corey Kluber, to the San Diego Padres? Who might Cleveland receive in return?

The San Diego Padres traded Corey Kluber to the Cleveland Indians on July 31, 2010, and they are now looking to reacquire their former farmhand. Jon Morosi of MLB.com reported that the Friars are one of several clubs interested in the right-handed starter. A later report rebuked Morosi’s claim, but the Padres still feel like a very plausible destination for the Indians right-handed star.

Kluber was selected by the Padres in the fourth round of the 2007 MLB Draft. He was later traded to the Cleveland Indians in the three-team deal which saw Ryan Ludwick join the Padres.

The San Diego Padres have been very active in their pursuit of acquiring a top of the rotation arm and Corey Kluber seems to be their latest target. What would the Padres have to give up in order to acquire the two-time Cy Young Award winner?

Part 1 – A Major League Ready Player

The Padres have seemed reluctant to include their top prospects, Fernando Tatis Jr. and MacKenzie Gore, in past trade discussions. It is hard to imagine that the duo will now be on the table.

My mind first turns to Major League ready pieces as the Indians look to defend their AL Central Crown.

Wil Myers, Hunter Renfro, Manny Margot, and Austin Hedges all could be nice additions to the Indians’ roster, but to me, Hunter Renfro seems like the logical centerpiece.

The Indians are in need of outfield help and Renfro could provide the club with an inexpensive, athletic bat. He has also shown that he can be a reliable defensive player with a cannon for an arm.

Renfro’s addition could go a long way in helping the Indians replace the offense they’ve lost as Michael Brantley, Yonder Alonso, Edwin Encarnacion, and Yan Gomes will all be wearing different uniforms in 2019.

Hunter Renfro would make an immediate impact on the Indians’ lineup, but a possible trade would have to include other pieces…

Part 2 – Pitching Prospects

It is reasonable to assume that the Indians will look to acquire pitching prospects to join their starting rotation in the near future. Could these young arms possibly become their next “Corey Kluber”?

We know that Gore is off the table and due to his close ETA, I believe that it is reasonable to assume that Chris Paddack is off the table too. Maybe the club could look to acquire Michel Baez or Logan Allen?

Michel Baez, a hard-throwing right-hander, had a solid 2018 season. He pitched well at A+ but struggled once he received his promotion to AA San Antonio. The tall righty often struggles with his command, but he still projects to be at least a mid-rotation starter. MLB.com ranks Baez as MLB’s 57th best prospect.

Logan Allen, a left-handed starting pitcher, was acquired by the San Diego Padres when the club traded Craig Kimbrel to the Boston Red Sox. His fastball has proven to be average at best, as averages around 91-94 mph, but Allen has also shown an ability to attack hitters with an above average changeup and a curveball which is consistently improving.

When healthy, Allen has ridden his ability to a lot of success, as 2018 marked a very impressive season. Logan Allen seems primed to contribute at the Major League level in 2019.

Trade Possibilities?

The Cleveland Indians will not be acquiring all three players, but I can see the club accepting a deal that includes Renfro, either Baez or Allen, and one or two lower level prospects.

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This deal will improve both clubs, as the Cleveland Indians will become younger and less expensive and the San Diego Padres will acquire their highly sought front-end starting pitcher.

The San Diego Padres have talent to trade and the Cleveland Indians are in need of a rejuvenation. Their week division will allow them to trade a star like Corey Kluber while remaining relevant in 2019. Indians fans may not be happy about the possibility of trading Kluber, but this is a smart move that can help the Indians stay at the top of the AL Central.

Even though reports have downplayed the possibility, I believe that the Cleveland Indians should consider trading Corey Kluber to the San Diego Padres.