Indians trade Clevinger, bolster Padres’ rotation
The San Diego Padres acquired Mike Clevinger in a multiplayer deal with the Cleveland Indian son Monday, bolstering their rotation with another boldmove ahead of baseball’s trade deadline.
San Diego got Clevinger, outfielder Greg Allen and a player to be named from Cleveland for a package of young players that included outfielder Josh Naylor, righthander Cal Quantrill and catcher Austin Hedges.
Led by Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego is going for its first playoff appearance since 2006. The acquisition of Clevinger is the Padres’ fifth trade since Saturday.
San Diego acquired veteran catchers Jason Castro and Austin Nola in a pair of deals on Sunday, making Hedges expendable. First baseman Mitch Moreland came over in a trade with Boston, and the Padres added reliever Trevor Rosenthal in a deal with Kansas City.
The 29-year-old Clevinger strengthens a rotation that hashada fewstumbles lately, including Garrett Richards going two or fewer innings in consecutive starts and opening-day starter Chris Paddack struggling before bouncing back with a strong performance on Sunday at Colorado.
Clevinger went 13-4 with a 2.71 ERA in 21 starts last year. The long-haired righthander also is contractually controlled through the 2022 season.
Cleveland is in the mix for the AL Central title, but Clevinger may have wore out his welcome when he was caught breakingCOVID19 protocols a coupleweeks ago, leading to a trip to the team’s alternate training site.
Clevinger and teammate Zach Plesac left the team’s Chicago hotel, socialized outside the team’s “bubble,” missed curfew and caused a rift inside the clubhouse.
C levin ger returned to Cleveland’s rotation on Wednesday, pitching six effective innings in a victory over Minnesota.
Clevinger is the thirdfrontline starter traded away by
Cleveland in the past year. Trevor Bauer was shipped off to Cincinnati at the 2019 deadline, and two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluberwas dealt to Texas in December.
The Indians also got infielder Gabriel Arias, lefthander Joey Cantillo and infielder Owen Miller in the Clevinger deal.
EvenwithoutClevinger, the Indians have plenty of young pitching with ace Shane Bieber, Aaron Civale, Plesac and rookie Triston McKenzie, who has looked like a seasoned veteran in two starts.
Marlins get outfielder Starling Marte
Miami acquired outfielder Starling Marte ina trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks onMonday, giving theMarlins a versatile hitter and defender as they try tomake a surprising push for the playoffs.
The Diamondbacks received pitchers Caleb Smith, HumbertoMejia and a player to be named.
The 31-year-old Marte played most of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he was an All-Star in 2016. The two-time Gold Glove winner in left field was traded to the Diamondbacks during the offseason and playedwell, batting .311 with two homers, eight doubles and five stolen bases while playing center field.
Marte has a team option for next season. He went through personal tragedy in May when his wife, Noelia, died of a heart attack.
TheDiamondbacksturned into sellers at the trade deadline after losing 10 of their past 11 games. Earlier on Monday, they also traded All-Star left-hander Robbie Ray to the Blue Jays.