Cleveland Indians: Two moves made in the FanSided Winter Meetings

The FanSided Winter Meetings are underway and the Cleveland Indians have made several trades in this year’s offseason simulation.

The MLB site experts here at FanSided have begun this year’s offseason simulation, and I am serving as general manager of the Cleveland Indians.

This process involves both making trades and signing free agents, with a bidding process involved between all the site experts.

As the simulation gets underway, I have two trades to announce that were made on Monday. And remember, these are simulations and not real trades.

Simulated Trade No. 1: Indians trade Ryan Merritt to the Phillies for Tommy Joseph

Ryan Merritt has the potential to be a solid starting pitcher in the majors, but there is just no room for him on this Indians roster. He will always be remembered for his start in the 2016 ALCS, and it is time he goes somewhere where he can be in a starting rotation.

Tommy Joseph comes to Cleveland as an extra bat and some insurance in case the Indians can’t sign Carlos Santana. He slashed .240/.289/.432 in 142 games last season.

Even if Santana does return, Joseph provides some depth. Losing Merritt in exchange should have little to no effect on the 2018 season, as he may have only made a start or two given the rotation stays healthy.

Simulated Trade No. 2: Indians trade Shawn Armstrong to the Twins for Ryan Pressly

This second trade features another Indians pitcher that couldn’t quite find his way into a full-time role. Shawn Armstrong made 21 appearances for the Indians in 2017, but could never solidify himself as a member of the bullpen.

Ryan Pressly comes over from the Twins as someone who can eat up a lot of innings, now that Bryan Shaw is likely playing elsewhere in 2018.

Pressly appeared in 57 games and logged 61.1 innings in 2017, one year after making 72 appearances for the Twins.

He can fill that late-inning role that Shaw occupied, with the only downside being Pressly is about $1 million more expensive than Armstrong.

Next: The 2017 FanSided Winter Meetings

We have more moves coming, so stay tuned as I continue on in my dream role of being the GM of the Indians. I think I’m off to a good start.