Cleveland Indians general manager Mike Chernoff insists he didn't trade Mike Clevinger to the San Diego Padres because the right-hander broke team safety protocols.
"This really had nothing to do with the protocols or anything like that. We had put that in the past," Chernoff explained on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM.
Chernoff said the Indians "tried to thread the needle" by acquiring offense and future talent while comparing the trade to similar deals the team made involving Trevor Bauer and Corey Kluber.
Cleveland dealt Clevinger to the Padres in a nine-player blockbuster Monday. The 29-year-old violated team safety protocols by going out with teammate Zach Plesac in Chicago on Aug. 8.
Indians players were reportedly upset with Clevinger and Plesac for violating the protocols and for how the pair acted after getting caught. Players apparently felt Clevinger wasn't truthful with them about his involvement in the incident.
Veteran Indians reliever Oliver Perez reportedly threatened to leave the team if the pair returned this season.
Clevinger made one start for Cleveland after the incident before being traded.
The Indians recalled Plesac from the team's alternate training site Monday to replace Clevinger in the rotation.
