At one point Ross Stripling was on the move from the Dodgers to the Angels. After the trade that would also send Joc Pederson to the other team in Los Angeles fell through, it seems that Stripling could be had for the right price. Cleveland should look into exactly what that price is.
Ross Stripling just turned 30, has an inexpensive contract and is arbitration eligible for two more years. Most of this is music to Cleveland’s ears. The Indians love to have players that fit this template. Stripling having a somewhat predictable salary would be perfect for a team like the Indians due to their conservative fiscal nature.
An addition of Ross Stripling to the current Indians rotation would provide a bit of stability. Mike Clevinger, Shane Bieber, and Carlos Carrasco are the best starting pitchers on the team. After these three is when things become a less clear. Aaron Civale and Zach Plesac pitched admirably last year when called upon, but will it continue? What role will the likes of Adam Plutko, Logan Allen, and Jefry Rodriguez play? ere are no real clear cut answers past Clevinge, Bieber, and Carrasco. Acquiring someone like Stripling could give them another dependable arm to rely on and not count on repeat performances from players who may not be capable of what they did last season.
What’s the worst that could happen if the Indians call the Dodgers about Ross Stripling? They say no and Cleveland moves on. The fear of rejection should not prevent the Tribe from looking to upgrade their rotation.
