After the Browns traded Trent Richardson on Wednesday, a friend reminded me about the blog I wrote in 2011 about the safest jerseys to buy in Cleveland sports.


Richardson wasn't on it because he hadn't joined the Browns yet. But he would have been, right up until he was sent to the Colts.

The blog was posted June 24, 2011, right after the Cavs drafted Kyrie Irving. As a top overall pick with a multiyear contract, Irving was the best jersey investment with his combination of star power and potential longevity.

Let's revisit the topic and see whose jersey would be a good investment now.

Browns: Back in 2011, I wrote: "Forget it. The roster turns over every 18 months." That hasn't changed. The only player you can reasonably assume will be on the team for the next few seasons is Joe Thomas. Maybe Alex Mack, Joe Haden, Jordan Cameron, Barkevious Mingo or T.J. Ward? Even then, buyer beware.

Cavaliers: Besides Irving, you have some choices, as long as you don't think GM Chris Grant is headed on a cap-clearing trading spree. Stranger things have happened. Tristan Thompson, Anthony Bennett, Dion Waiters and Tyler Zeller are young players with some years on their contracts. If you're a glass-half-full type of Cavs fan, you can get a No. 6 and leave the nameplate blank to be filled in next summer.

Indians: Jason Kipnis is an all-star who isn't arbitration-eligible until 2015. Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn are locked up and presumably are key pieces for the next few seasons. Pitchers? No way. At the beginning of this season, you could have reasoned that a Vinnie Pestano jersey would have been a good idea as the heir apparent to Chris Perez as the Tribe's closer. That hasn't worked out. Michael Brantley and Carlos Santana could be options, too.

-- Howard Primer