Some (Very) Early Thoughts on the MLB Trade Market

For several years now, the MLB trade season has been met with something between apathy and dread in Cleveland —both springing from the resignation that the Indians would again be “sellers,” trading any assets they had to reload the farm system for a new cycle of contention. This season is shaping up a bit differently.  As the team continues to hang around in the weak AL Central, there is a growing sentiment that not only should the Indians not be sellers, but they should be actively looking to acquire short-term assets that can help the team win now, even at the expense of some of the young players and prospects currently moving through the system. Today let’s examine some of the approaches to this year’s upcoming trading melee, as well as the consequences of each. The first option I’ve heard goes something like this: First place is rare.  When you have a chance to win the division, you go for it. Damn the torpedoes.  Don’t worry about the farm system or the pipeline.  Acquire the b...