The Cleveland Indians need to add at least one outfielder this offseason.
With the loss of Michael Brantley Cleveland’s outfield is just that more depleted. Sure the team added a couple of players capable of playing in the outfield this season in Jordan Luplow and Jake Bauers, but the free agent market must be explored.
Marwin Gonzalez
Let’s get this out of the way first rather than expect this to be a possibility. Marwin Gonzalez is not an option for Cleveland. The switch hitting utility player is going to cost too much to bring in. Also considering Gonzalez may have had his career-best year in 2017 the risk-averse Indians front office may steer clear of signing the former Astro. Now on to some real options.
Avisail Garcia
The former Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox outfielder is a free agent and could make an intriguing option for the Tribe. Garcia has always had pop in his bat and the ability to hit at a fairly consistent rate. Add in the fact that Garcia has extensive experience playing in the American League Central makes the possibility even better. Since Garcia is coming off a campaign that was plagued with injury it is possible for the Indians to acquire his services at a lower cost than other options. Garcia needs to build his value back up and could be talked into a smaller deal.
Carlos Gonzalez
It is always buyer beware with players who call Coors Field home. Carlos Gonzalez falls into that category. Gonzalez is a significantly better hitter at home than on the road. Gonzalez’ batting average was 74 points higher at home compared to on the road last season. Also worth noting is that Gonzalez hit 35 extra-base hits at home and only 17 on the road. Gonzalez is certainly a risky signing, but may be talked into signing a one-year deal with a contending team if he decides to leave Colorado.
Cameron Maybin
Cameron Maybin is a budget option for Cleveland. Maybin has bounced around a lot in his career and has been a decent hitter at the plate. The ability to play all three outfield positions could interest Cleveland as they need competent play in the outfield. Maybin would be a guy that would bat ninth in the order to try and take advantage of the top of the order getting the chance to drive in a baserunner who has speed.
Gerardo Parra
A light hitting outfielder, Gerardo Parra has played enough to know exactly what you are getting. Will hit for a decent average, score some runs, steal a handful of bases and hit the occasional home run. While Parra also played at Coors Field the past few seasons, unlike Carlos Gonzalez he also played elsewhere. Parra has put up similar numbers at just about every stop in his career, the only outlier was the third of a season spent in Baltimore.. Parra could be an end of the order table setter type that scores a lot of runs due to the good hitters at the top of the order.
