ESPN’s Buster Olney dropped a sizable bomb today.

Well, it’s a good thing he made this known on a Friday, because it might give us a perfect excuse to take up drinking.

It’s no new thing for us to see our stars go; we have pretty much become inured and pretty numb to pillars being shown the door. It’s simply the usual situation of the haves versus the have-nots that the Indians find themselves routinely. It’s just the cycle that we’ve come to accept.

In reality, though, it’s probably a good idea for the Indians to dangle their stars in hopes of an overpay. Corey Kluber is owed just $52.5 million (if the 2019 and 2020 options would be picked up) which is an obscene bargain for a pitcher of his stature. Especially coming off the heels of Clayton Kershaw re-upping with the Dodgers for $93 million over the same term today.

The same could be said for Carlos Carrasco, who also comes in at an extreme bargain price. The Indians picked up his 2019 option of $9.75 million already, with a $9.5 million option available for 2020.

With the premium usually paid for top-flight pitchers, the Indians just floating the plausible availability of their top two aces could really help restock the prospect pool as well as giving the Indians a serious boost on their starting lineup. The Indians aren’t hurting themselves by announcing that they’re willing to listen.

And if they can get out from under the albatross contracts of Edwin Encarnacion and Jason Kipnis, then that could allow for a bit more action in free agency.

I am not advocating for moving our stars. It sucks. But I understand the front office’s willingness to potentially take a step back within a still-winnable AL Central for a chance at being a extended contender is worth exploring.

Would teams meet the prices? That remains to be seen. But the bait has been cast, so let’s see if we can fill the nets with big catches.

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