Cleveland Indians: Who Must Be Acquired This Offseason?
By Ryan Rosko
Jun 30, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Nationals center fielder Denard Span (2) reacts with right fielder
Bryce Harper(34) after scoring against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Span Works Within Tribe’s Budget
Joe Russo
The problem with “doing whatever it takes” for a player is the actual, real limitations the Indians have. When you look at their budget and their willingness to truly go after a free agent or trade target, it can be tough to identify a player the Indians would actually be able to do everything they can to acquire.
That said, outfielder Denard Span may not be the best free agent on the market nor is he the most exciting target. Yet, what he is, though, is exactly what the Indians need.
Span gets on base, plays a good center field, and has been a positive contributor on and off the field everywhere he has been. He is also coming off of an injury, which might drive his price down to a more reasonable level than say fellow outfielder, Dexter Fowler.
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I know first base is a sore spot at the moment too, but they did sign Mike Napoli which should upgrade the position. Free agents like Chris Davis and Pedro Alvarez likely commanded more money than the Tribe can offer. Sure, I would loved to have Crush Davis hitting 40 home runs a year for Cleveland, but he is not a reasonable target. Alvarez is the same defensive liability as first baseman Carlos Santana, but he provides a far more potent bat.
As for potential trades, I’ve been on Colorado outfielder Carlos Gonzalez’s bandwagon for year. I love that Lonnie Chisenhall was a valuable contributor in right field, but CarGo is the far more polished player and provides the type of power not seen in right field since Manny Ramirez was in Cleveland.
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Chisenhall can still play right field with CarGo in left while Cleveland’s star outfielder Michael Brantley returns and can play center field in a pinch as well. His contract might scare the Tribe away, but that would be an acquisition worth paying for.