Whereas Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are the headliners in free agency, the Cleveland Indians have largely dominated discussions in terms of potential trades this offseason. At the center of it have been pitchers Trevor Bauer, Carlos Carrasco and Corey Kluber, and catcher Yan Gomes.
Although the Indians have reached the postseason in recent years, including an appearance in the World Series, the belief was the organization was prepared to begin breaking up their core that required a significant payroll.
As a team that values starting pitching depth and is in the market for a catcher, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been linked to trade talks with the Indians over recent days. Along with Gomes, it was reported the Dodgers had varying interest in Bauer, Carrasco and Kluber.
Carrasco may soon be removed from the trade market, however, as he and the Indians are negotiating a contract extension, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic:
#Indians in discussions with RHP Carlos Carrasco about an extension, sources tell The Athletic. Carrasco signed for 2019 at $9.75M with $10.25M club option for ‘20. Previously accepted below-market, four-year, $22M deal with two club options after heart scare in April 2015.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 30, 2018
#Indians would not trade Carrasco this off-season if he agreed to extension, sources say. If CLE moves a starter, as it has indicated it will, choice will come down to Kluber (3 years control) or Bauer (2). Bauer has said he will not sign extension, preferring to go year-to-year.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 30, 2018
Prior to the reported extension talks, previous indications were the Indians preferred to trade Bauer over Carrasco or Kluber anyhow. Bauer and Yasiel Puig have been mentioned as pieces to a potential trade between the Indians and Dodgers.
