The Indians announced this morning that they’ve optioned struggling center fielder Oscar Mercado to their alternate training site. A corresponding move has yet to be announced but will come before tomorrow’s game.
Mercado becomes the third notable Indians player to be sent down in the past week, although his circumstances are different. Unlike demoted right-handers Mike Clevinger and Zach Plesac, who were sent down after angering teammates and club officials by breaking Covid-19 protocols, Mercado’s trip to the alternate site looks to be purely driven by his on-field struggles. The 25-year-old finished eighth in American League Rookie of the Year voting last season but has gotten out to a woeful .111/.167/.111 start through 48 plate appearances in 2020.
Entering the season, Mercado appeared to be the lone lock amid an otherwise jumbled outfield picture. Cleveland had Delino DeShields Jr., Jordan Luplow, Tyler Naquin, Jake Bauers, Bradley Zimmer, Greg Allen, Domingo Santana and Franmil Reyes all vying for time in the corners (and at DH), but Mercado’s .269/.318/.443 debut and his quality glovework made him the clear favorite for everyday work in center.
With Mercado optioned out of the picture for now, it’ll likely be DeShields shouldering the workload in center while manager Terry Francona mixes and matches in the corner slots. Outside of DeShields, who has just 23 plate appearances, and Reyes, who has just five innings played on defense, none of the club’s outfield options have been productive. Francona will likely play matchups and hope for the emergence of a hot hand or two on which he can rely more consistently. The club could, of course, also pursue an upgrade via the trade market.
It should be noted that while Mercado’s demotion opens a spot on the active roster, that cannot be used to recall either Clevinger or Plesac. Optional assignment rules dictate that a player must spend 10 days down unless he is replacing a player who is being placed on the IL. That’s not the case here, so the club will turn elsewhere in whatever move is announced following today’s off day.
What would it take for the Indians to trade Mercado. I know he was a highly touted prospect in their system, so it’s not like they’d just get peanuts, but I’m curious.
He was never highly touted. career. .678 OPS in the minors. He had a nice year last year and is probably coming down to earth a bit now.
My mistake DocBB, I don’t know why I thought that he was highly thought of. In my defense, when I said highly touted, I meant in the Cleveland system, like in their top 10 prospects. I thought I heard an announcer say something like that around the time he got called up.
Well with that being said, now what could a trade of Mercado look like?
Rick Manning had a great take concerning Mercado’s issues. It had to do with the acquisition of Hernandez to play 2B and lead off, leading to Lindor moving down to #3, with Ramirez in the #2 hole, all of which pushed Mercado down in the lineup. The result is less fastballs, what he was getting when batting between Lindor and Ramirez.
Now he gets more off speed pitches, and has yet to adjust his hitting approach.
So lineup protection is a real thing again?
Why would they trade him? He plays a premium position and is controllable at cheap rate for a franchise that wants to cut payroll where they can. Also they’d be selling low due to his struggles so far this season.
Ever since the 1st week I have had these hopes of the Indians acquiring a young, controlled mlb ready corner OF for a package of Clevinger and Mercado…
Joey Gallo for Oscar Mercado, Mike Clevinger, and Bobby Bradley. Done.
I think Gallo only has 2 years left before FA…so he is disqualified
Disqualified because the Indians are cheap and wouldn’t pay him? lol
Austin Meadows?
Thats definitely part of it. Haha
None of those are what I would want in return for Gallo. 2 question mark hitters and an older starter going to a team where they already have significant question marks on consistency with hitters across the team. There would have to be a Plesac/Nolan Jones/Freeman type player involved in my opinion. I don’t think that’s significant ask for Gallo but it probably would be for the Indians when you look at things financially.
Its a moot point because the Indians aren’t trying to trade for short rentals at this point..and Gallo is gone in 2 years. Besides I would pass on Gallo straight up for Clevinger alone….Clev is only 28…understand Texas being gun shy on trading for aging SPs tho..
Wow lang2424, I was sitting here thinking that what I proposed might be a little too much to ask for Gallo, but I guess not.
Personally, if I would change the deal that I made, I would say Gallo for Clev, Mercado, and Daniel Espino. I wouldn’t command Jones or Freeman just due to financial restrictions via the Indians cheap owners. (Because Gallo is a free agent in a few years)
“understand Texas being gun shy on trading for aging SPs tho..”
Clevinger would be YOUNG versus the other starters we have been getting the past 3 years in Minor, Lynn, Gibson. Clev would be a mainstay in our rotation for years (unless, god forbid, an injury occurs)
I agree…I was pointing that out to Iang2424
Oh ok. Didn’t catch that until you brought it up lol.
To get off the topic of Gallo though, what players would you target with the package of Clev and Mercado? I have a name in mind, but I’m curious what you think.
Not anyone specifically in mind really.
Austin Meadows is still the one guy that sticks out in my head. Maybe Bryan Reynolds for a lesser package.
Meadows would be great…but pretty sure he isn’t going anywhere.
Yaz.
Nope. No way.
I think I came across a little different than my intention. I’m saying the Indians wouldn’t do that type of deal because they want those guys to come up and produce. I was just saying Gallo would command at least 1 and depending on the team 2 top 100 prospects for the amount of time a team would have him for. It may be a reach but the Rangers if they were to trade him would get every bit of talent possible.
I’d pass on Clev just because I’m not exactly sure what he is. My point of him being older is he’s close to arbitration which the Rangers would want younger guys that aren’t at the point. Hope that makes sense. Course I may be overshooting Gallos value a little but he’s almost all the Rangers have. Doubt anything actually happens and he’ll go to free agency after the next 2 years.
You seriously wouldn’t take a bull like Clevinger for a .220 hitter?
I’m not trading Clevinger for Gallo. Cleve is one of the best AL arms. HR hitters with low batting average are dime a dozen. No thanks in trading for Gallo
He was somewhat highly touted in the Cardinals system. Not sure what his ceiling is. He looked pretty good last season.
They won’t trade Mercado but you can have Delino DeShields back if you want.
“None of Cleveland’s outfielders have been productive in 2020….”
Uh, technically Franmil Reyes is an outfielder, having actually played some out in the grass this season. He’s been extremely productive.
Reyes, who has played a whopping total of 16 innings in the grass!
Man that David Ortiz sure was a productive 1B for the Red Sox!
Fair. I did list him among the group that had been vying for corner time. I can amend that wording.
I wouldn’t worry about that Steve. Most people should know that Reyes is basically just a DH at this point. This guy is just nitpicking
Yeah, them pesky facts, huh?
In Franmil Reyes’ 1 start in the OF. He went 1 for 3 with a single. Good for an 80 WRC+. Or 20% below league average because his big plodding behind is worthless on the basepaths!
Facts, huh!??
* Insert TribeFan getting really offended because someone decided to give him the same D-bag retort back below***
When you hit the ball as far as he does, speed on the base paths isn’t a priority.
Set and match.
Reyes has below average speed but he is hardly a plodder.He’s faster than Michael Brantley for example.
baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/sprint_speed?ye…
Clevenger for JBJ. See how easy that was!
Clevinger is worth way more than JBJ who is a rental i might add.. Try again
You missed the sarcasm like JBJ misses fastballs right down the pipe!
His statement didn’t seem like sarcasm to me but ok
They should also include Luplow and Domingo Santana to Eastlake. There has got to be better choices out there, but happy Naquin and Deshields are showing signs way better than what’s been out there
Just saying with Mercado going down Lindor now has the lowest obp of qualified batters on the team. Do I think he will breakout? Yes…. but I think Santana and Luplow should be given more time to breakout as well. I get it though 60 game season makes it harder to be patient. But 16 teams in the playoffs helps a bit.
Yea, I’m tired of luplow and d. Santana one pitch outs
Pleasac and Clevinger to the Angels for Adell, Canning, Heaney and 2 more prospects. At this point, no prospect is untouchable from the Halos.
@Halofanatic dude, I feel for you Angels fans. At least the Bundy deal has really worked out well so far, plus you probably got the right guys in Joe/Mickey to turn things around eventually. Keep the faith.
If I’m the Indians, I immediately take that deal. I’d personally be shocked if the Angels offered that, but since you’re an Angels fan I guess it might not be far fetched.
Heaney is decent if he can ever stay healthy, I’m a fan of Canning long term (health being the key for him too), Adell will obviously be a stud, and the Indians have been good at getting value out of other players in trades so another PTBNL or two would be nice.
I look at it like a win-win for both clubs. Both get what we need and I understand you have to give to get.
Please keep him down for the next White Sox series. He always seems to come through with a big play against the Sox.