Trade talks with Cleveland

Jon Morosi has reported that the Indians have been in trade talks with the Dodgers, Yankees, and Blue Jays.  Cleveland is in need of an outfielder and have lots of good starting pitching.  Each of those 3 teams have possible trade matches.

I can't see the Indians giving up a starting pitcher for Revere or Saunders, without getting another significant piece in the deal.  Also Revere doesn't come so cheap in terms of payroll.  The likely trade candidates would be Pillar or Pompey.  

Pillar had a WAR of 5 last year which is quite sensational.  His trade value should be very good.  His defense was nothing short of spectacular all year long.  His bat was not consistent.  We all cringed many times watching him reach for a ball way outside to either miss it or pop it up.  He went through some long bad stretches offensively, but he also had an incredible month of June, and was very good down the stretch.  When he was on, he was a significant weapon at the bottom of the lineup which helped turn things over for the big boys to come up with guys on base.  In fact, the Royals scouted the Jays during September and reported that the key to stopping the Jays offense was to keep Pillar off base.  They saw him as the igniter.

Trading away Pillar means taking the risk that Pompey is ready.  We know Pompey has the tools.  In 2015 he was the opening day CF, but he seemed to lack confidence and even commented that he was "playing scared".  I do think that his time back in the minors did a lot for him, but he didn't get the opportunity to show whether that would translate into major league success (other than as an incredible pinch runner).  He deserves that opportunity.  I've heard the suggestion of platooning him with Revere, but given that Pompey is a switch hitter (and better from the left side), that doesn't make any sense to me.  It also wouldn't be good for his development for him to sit on the bench as a 4th outfielder and pinch runner all season. 

The outfield is currently an area of depth, which is why trading someone makes sense.  I haven't even mentioned Saunders in this puzzle.  Assuming Saunders is healthy (which may be a big assumption), the Jays really have 5 guys that should be every day outfielders.  You certainly wouldn't have all 5 on a 25 man roster.

Who knows if they can find a deal with Cleveland or not.  Let's see what happens!

@bluejaystwit