The Cleveland Indians have held trade discussions with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim about starting pitcher Mike Clevinger.
Mike Clevinger continues to be discussed in potential trades. Teams who didn’t sign a big time free agent pitcher are still looking to upgrade their rotation. Going to the pitching rich Cleveland Indians is a good place to start. Cleveland seemingly churns out starting pitching and can hypothetically move one pitcher to upgrade their position players. The Angels did not sign Gerrit Cole and are looking to upgrade via trade. Los Angeles previously held discussions with Cleveland regarding Corey Kluber.
Of course the first player Cleveland asked about was Jo Adell. Adell is one of the best prospects in all of baseball and is expected to join Mike Trout in the Angels outfield sooner rather than later. The Indians have a clear need for an outfielder, so asking for Adell is understandable. Los Angeles seems unlikely to deal Adell, which essentially ends trade discussions.
The Indians are a team that needs to listen to offers if a team asks. That doesn’t mean they are interested in trading said player, just talking, that’s it. Unless the Angels are going to pony up with Jo Adell in addition to more prospects and players, there is not much to see here. The Indians will have to get a massive return in order to trade Mike Clevinger. The Angels are not the only team in their own city that has checked in on the availability of Clevinger. The Dodgers were at one point trying to acquire both Francisco Lindor and Mike Clevinger. Like the Angels, they were not willing to give up their top prospects. If either Los Angeles team wants to acquire a premier talent, they have to give up premier talent in order to get it. End of story.
