Factory Of Sadness
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5 Moves The Cleveland Indians Must Make To Contend For a World Series In 2016

By Nick Dudukovich

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Aug 20, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Cleveland Indians center fielder Abraham Almonte (35) makes a catch on a fly out by New York Yankees Brett Gardner (11) in front of Lonnie Chisenhall (8) during the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Fix One Outfield Spot

Cleveland heads into the winter with one outfield spot in good shape, thank to Michael Brantley in left field. After that, the Tribe finished 2014 with Abraham Almonte in center and a platoon of Lonnie Chisenhall and Ryan Ryan Raburn in right.

Almonte came over in a midseason trade and nobody gave the lifelong minor-leaguer a second thought. But it turns out he can play a little bit. Not saying he can be an All-Star, but perhaps, he can be an everyday player. With Cleveland, Almonte hit .264 with a .776 OPS.

Chisenhall, on the other hand, is on his second position, but has shown he can really excel defensively in right field. He even won ESPN’s defensive player of the month for the August. The problem with Lonnie, as it’s always been, is a streaky bat.

After opening the season a third base and hitting .209, Chisenhall got demoted in June. He was given an outfielder’s glove and told to get used to roaming the grass. He got called back and batted .289 (.760 OPS)  with 3 homers and 23 RBI, but remember, Lonnie is Lonnie.  He batted .403 in August, but slumped to .167 in September.

Rayburn has a $3 million team option for next season. He looks to be expendable because Chris Johnson believes he can play the outfield. Josee Ramirez also figures to play some outfield next season, taking over the super utility position that is likely to be vacated by Mike Aviles.

Johnson  batted .255 (.624 OPS) with 3 HR and 18 RBI this season, but it was .323 (.726 OPS) vs. lefties. He looks like a fit should the Tribe continue with a platoon in right.

The Tribe can’t go into the season with Almonte, and a platoon. That leaves too many question marks. To truly contend in 2016, the Tribe needs to upgrade at least one of those positions.

Prized center field prospect Bradley Zimmer is still a season away, and with a limited budget, if the Indians are to acquire a good outfielder, Antonetti is going to have to swing a trade improve either of these spots.

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