There was a trade, a mid-level signing, and more rumors coming off the hot stove on Saturday, let’s run down the action.

Indians Could Hold Onto Kluber and Bauer

Jon Heyman of FanCred Sports is reporting that after a flurry of moves to free up some salary space, the Cleveland Indians could end of holding onto two starting pitchers who have reportedly been shopped around.

“After trading [Edwin Encarnacion], [Yonder Alonso], and [Yan Gomes], [the] word is [the] Indians won’t be as motivated by financial concerns now,” Heyman tweeted. “Translation: [Corey Kluber] and [Trevor Bauer are] more likely to stay.”

Kluber, entering his 33-year-old season in 2019, had a 20-7 record last year for the AL Central-winning Indians with a 2.89 earned-run average, a league-leading 215 innings pitched, 222 strikeouts, 34 walks, and a 0.991 WHIP.

Bauer, 27, had a breakout season in 2018, pitching to a 2.21 ERA in 28 appearances (27 starts, 175.1 innings) with 1.089 WHIP, 3.88 strikeouts-to-walks, and an AL-leading 2.44 fielding independent pitching rating.

Second-Tier Starters Drawing Interest

Jon Morosi of MLB Network is reporting that starting pitchers Mike Fiers and Anibal Sanchez are beginning to garner interest on the open market, with some of the same teams vying for both hurlers.

“[Fiers is] drawing interest from multiple clubs, including the Reds, Giants, Nationals, and Rangers”, Morosi tweeted. “[Sanchez’] marketplace has some overlap with that of Fiers. The Braves, Reds, and Nationals have shown interest.”

Fiers, 33, had a 3.56 ERA in 30 starts (172 innings) split between Detroit (20 starts) and Oakland (nine) last season with 1.180 WHIP and a 3.76 strikeouts-to-walks ratio.

Sanchez, 34, pitched to a 2.83 ERA in 136.2 innings of work with Atlanta last season, owning a 7-6 record with a 3.62 FIP, 1.083 WHIP, and 3.21 strikeouts-to-walks.

Astros Considering Brantley and Cruz

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic is reporting some preliminary contact between the Houston Astros and free agents Nelson Cruz and Michael Brantley, adding that the ‘Stros are “remaining open to a trade of right fielder Josh Reddick“, according to his sources.

Cruz, 38, has been used primarily as a designated hitter over the second half of his 14-year career, averaging 44 homers, 111 RBI, and a 148 OPS+ over his last four seasons, all with Seattle. Last year he slashed .256/.342/.509 with 37 home runs, 97 RBI, and a 135 OPS+ rating.

Brantley, 31, returned to play 143 games for the Indians last season after missing the better part of two seasons due to injuries to hit .309/.364/.468 with 36 doubles, 17 home runs, 76 RBI, and an OPS+ rating of 123 over 631 plate appearances.

Quick Notes

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that “six teams are in the running” for free agent shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. The 34-year-old’s once elite career has been ravaged by injuries, playing in just 589 games over the course of the last six seasons (.286/.357/.482, 118 OPS+).

T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports that the Phillies have “expressed interest” in Rangers’ lefty Mike Minor, noting that Texas has been actively in search of “deep, young, controllable pitching”, which Philadephia has a surplus of.

Minor, 30, had a 12-8 record for the Rangers last season with a 4.18 ERA, 132 strikeouts, 38 walks, and 1.121 WHIP in 28 starts (157 innings).

Matt Adams returned to the Nationals on a one-year, $4 million deal, first reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The Slippery Rock University alum hit .239/.309/.477 with 21 homers, 57 RBI, and a 105 OPS+ rating in 337 plate appearances split between the Cardinals and Nats last season.

The Cleveland Indians sent their starting first baseman, Yonder Alonso, to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for minor-league outfielder Alex Call.