8 Free Agents The Cleveland Indians Need To Sign This Offseason
![Oct 1, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Bartolo Colon (40) in action during a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports Oct 1, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Bartolo Colon (40) in action during a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/5816f31fd85c8b938c9afbfb49ae48d2ae1ed66ec8a49f501cd67ede01ada605.jpg)
With free agency ready to commence, the Cleveland Indians need to seriously consider these eight free agents as the Tribe retools for another World Series run.
The Cleveland Indians enter their biggest offseason in recent memory. The Tribe came up one game short of winning the World Series, but the window to finally end “The curse of Rocky Colavita” is still open, and the front office must act appropriately.
The Indians have a solid core of talent, so Chris Antonetti and Mike Chernoff are likely to remain relatively low-key when free agency commences.
Plus, Tribe fans all know the Indians’ payroll limitations. This team won’t be dishing out a multi-year, $120 million contract out to anyone, so forget Yoenis Cespedes. He’s not playing here.
In this list, the case is made for the Indians to add some outfield help, in addition to starting and relief pitching.
The adage “you can never have enough pitching” exists for a reason: It’s 100 percent true.
As amazing as the rotation and the bullpen did in the postseason with key injuries sidelining Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar, the group ran out of gas in the World Series.
As for the outfield, Tribe fans can assume Michael Brantley will return healthy. Even though he’s supposed to report to Spring Training healthy, the Indians should consider brining in an insurance policy.
Additionally, prospect Bradley Zimmer will likely reach the majors at some point in 2017. The center fielder shouldn’t be rushed though, and adding a viable big leaguer will afford him some more time polish up his game.
These players should be considered.