Kansas City Royals have to be patient during rebuild

(Photo by Jeff Moffett/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images)
(Photo by Jeff Moffett/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

During the 2008 season, Cleveland traded soon-to-be free agent pitcher C.C. Sabathia, netting multiple players including current center fielder Michael Brantley. They would also trade third baseman Casey Blake to the Dodgers for recently departed first baseman and designated hitter Carlos Santana.

In 2009, the trade of Cliff Lee would net the Indians current starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco among others.

Again, in 2010, perhaps the crown jewel, in a three-team deal between the Indians, Cardinals and Padres, Cleveland sent Jake Westbrook to the Cardinals and would receive Double-A starting pitcher Corey Kluber from San Diego. Do you think the Padres want that deal back?

Not to be outdone just yet, in the winter following the 2012 season, Cleveland again in a three-team trade would send star outfielder Shin-Soo Choo to the Reds, along with middle reliever Tony Sipp and infielder Lars Anderson the the Diamondbacks. In return, the Indians would receive pitcher Trevor Bauer and Bryan Shaw from the Diamondbacks and outfielder Drew Stubbs from the Reds.

Current starting pitcher Mike Clevinger and catcher Yan Gomes were brought in on deals from the Angels and Blue Jays respectively.