Cleveland Indians Roundup: Bullpen Rumors Abound

Bullpen rumors have surrounded the Cleveland Indians

Recent rumors have linked the Cleveland Indians and the Texas Rangers in a potential swap of pitchers, as Nicholas D. Blazek notes. It seems as if the teams are contemplating a move that would send a starting pitcher from the Indians to the Rangers, and most of the speculation circles around Trevor Bauer and Shawn Tolleson. Other names have been mentioned on the Rangers’ side, but the general framework remains the same.

These rumors have lead Jeff Mount to ponder whether the team truly needs another relief pitcher. Jeff Manship, Zach McAllister, and Cody Allen all had fine seasons last year, and adding another power arm might not be worth losing a promising pitcher in Bauer. Furthermore, he notes that the Tribe waited six years for Carlos Carrasco to reach his potential, so abandoning Trevor Bauer at this point seems like a strange move to make.

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Also on the bullpen, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com wonders how Terry Francona will use the team’s only left-handed reliever. Given Francona’s past reliever usage, it seems odd that the Indians will only carry one lefty into the season. This said, Hoynes points out that the Tribe’s righties pitched very well against left-handed batters last season.

This is mostly speculation on my part, but Jake Diekman could be a fit for the Cleveland Indians. Diekman is a 29-year-old flamethrower who should have three years of team control, including 2016. Advanced metrics like the lefty, although projections are slightly less fond of him. Steamer and ZiPS both expect him to be worth roughly half a win above a replacement player this year. Tolleson, on the other hand, projects to be worth one win above replacement.

More from around the American League Central:

Cleveland Indians: Is Another Reliever Really What This Team Needs? – Wahoo’s on First

Cleveland Indians: Possible Trade with Rangers for Bullpen Help? – Wahoo’s on First

Cleveland Indians 2016 Top Prospects: #1 Clint Frazier – Wahoo’s on First

How Will Terry Francona Use Lone Lefty Reliever? Cleveland Indians Briefing – Cleveland.com

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