Report: Dodgers, Yankees among 5 teams talking to Indians about Clevinger
The Mike Clevinger trade market is heating up.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, and Atlanta Braves have spoken to the Cleveland Indians about a trade for the right-hander, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman and baseball insider Robert Murray.
The Chicago White Sox are also talking to the Indians about Clevinger, sources told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.
Clevinger, 29, is one of the more notable players surfacing in rumors ahead of Monday's trade deadline after he and teammate Zach Plesac violated team safety protocols to see friends in Chicago earlier in August.
The Yankees are in need of starting pitching with James Paxton and Luis Severino injured, while Clevinger would give the Dodgers a dominant top three also featuring Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler.
The Padres' rotation is already worth the fifth-highest WAR in baseball, according to FanGraphs, but Chris Paddack and Garrett Richards both struggled in their most recent starts.
Braves starters, meanwhile, have only managed an average of 4 2/3 innings per start this year. Atlanta acquired left-handed starter Tommy Milone on Sunday, but Clevinger would immediately front a Braves rotation currently without young ace Mike Soroka.
Chicago is reportedly on the hunt for a starter and has already been connected to Texas Rangers ace Lance Lynn and Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Robbie Ray.
Clevinger has been terrific for the Indians since 2017, with his 2.97 ERA ranking seventh in baseball during that time frame.
He's also not eligible for free agency until 2023 and is earning the pro-rated portion of his $4-million salary this season.