Outfield options for the Indians
The Cleveland Indians need to address their outfield and will have plenty of options if they decide to go the free agent route.
The Cleveland Indians outfield is still relatively unsettled. Yes, Oscar Mercado seems to be a great find and is their starting center fielder. Franmil Reyes is more of a designated hitter than outfielder. Cleveland can have him play in the field if needed, but he is a liability defensively. They have an option in the minors with Daniel Johnson. Johnson finished last season with AAA Columbus. A leap to MLB is not out of the question, but cannot be their primary option at this time. Delino DeShields was acquired from the Rangers, but his bat is not necessarily all that exciting. Has more of the profile as a fourth outfielder who can pinch run if needed, a lot like another player already on the roster.
There is also the cluster of other options that the Indians have in the form of guys who have been around the block a few times. Tyler Naquin has a long road ahead while he is recovering from a torn ACL. Bradley Zimmer has had trouble staying healthy and worked his way back with a revamped batting stance. Greg Allen is nothing more than a fourth outfielder/pinch runner. What is known is that the Cleveland Indians need to sign someone, almost anyone to help their outfield this season.
Yasiel Puig
Let’s start here first. The Tribe acquired Yasiel Puig last season in the Trevor Bauer trade. Puig did perform better once landing in Cleveland, but only managed two home runs in 49 games. There is familiarity with Puig and that could help. Perhaps he could be convinced to return on a deal that won’t necessarily break the bank. Cleveland did shed some payroll in the deal that sent Corey Kluber to Texas. Some of that was spent in addressing their hole at second base with the signing of Cesar Hernandez. There are other options that may not be as expensive as Puig, but they are not necessarily as talented. Spend the rest of the money that was saved from dealing Kluber (and maybe a bit more) and keep Puig in Cleveland.
Domingo Santana
Domingo Santana has been someone that many have wanted the Indians to acquire for sometime now. Santana is an outfielder who is inconsistent and seems unable to put together two good years in a row. He is still young enough that he could hypothetically sign a short deal in an effort to build value before signing a much larger deal. If the Indians are looking at more cost efficient options, Domingo Santana could be their guy.
Corey Dickerson
There once was a time where Corey Dickerson was a guy who would hit over 20 home runs on a fairly consistent basis. That was before spending two seasons in Pennsylvania (179 games with Pittsburgh and 34 with Philadelphia). Dickerson’s average was above .300 during that time but only managed 25 home runs. Perhaps a scenery change could do some good here. Dickerson still managed to hit his fair share of doubles, 35 in 2018 and 28 in an abbreviated 2019 campaign (78 games). Dickerson can hit for average and he can hit for extra-bases.
The fact he is over 30 might be a bonus for Cleveland. Players over 30 have had a tough time getting deals in recent years and have had to wait a bit longer than their younger counterparts. Dickerson might be able to be convinced to play for a contender for less money than a non-contender. (For what it is worth, MLB Trade Rumors predicted him to go to the Padres on a two-year $15 million deal). Would the Indians go two years? Maybe, but only if the second year was an option year. That type of deal just screams Indians at this moment in time.
