Cleveland Indians Rumors: Edwin Encarnacion, Andrew McCutchen, Bullpen Help
In Cleveland Indians rumors, the Tribe ‘checked in’ on free agent first baseman and designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion, and other rumors from day one of baseball’s Winter Meetings.
The Cleveland Indians have ‘checked in’ on free agent slugger Edwin Encarnacion, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports. The right-handed first baseman is an ideal replacement for Mike Napoli in a lefty-heavy Indians lineup.
Although, Passan brings up the all-important question when it comes to the Indians and potential big name free agents. Will the Dolans provide the funds necessary for such a splash to occur?
Sources: Cleveland has checked in on Edwin Encarnacion. Perfect fit as RH power in LH-heavy lineup. Question is: Would they spend the money?
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 5, 2016
Despite the concerns, a move must be made to solidify the middle of the lineup. The Indians remain in touch with Mike Napoli, but fell short in their pursuit of both Carlos Beltran and Matt Holliday. It’s obvious what the Indians are doing. With their starting rotation (when healthy) locked up for the foreseeable future, a power bat is the number one priority for general manager Mike Chernoff and company.
The Encarnacion news is exciting, but a more realistic move is being reported, as well. The Indians and the Toronto Blue Jays are interested in first baseman Mitch Moreland. Moreland hit a pedestrian .233 with 22 HR and 60 RBIs during 2016 for the Texas Rangers– but he’s a lefty.
Sources: Toronto and Cleveland have been in on Mitch Moreland. Blue Jays looking less and less likely a landing spot for Edwin Encarnacion.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 5, 2016
One thing is for sure, if the Blue Jays sign Moreland, Encarnacion will not be in Toronto for 2017. Moreland, 31, had his best season in 2015. The seven-year veteran hit .278 with 23 HR and 85 RBIs to go along with a WAR of 2.2. Napoli’s WAR in 2016 was 1.0– not to diminish his contributions, but Moreland could be a good fit.
Napoli, like (potentially) Moreland, was given a chance to revive his career in Cleveland. Napoli succeeded and his market value may be to high, especially for a 35-year-old designated hitter. I just have a difficult time believing the Indians will match the lucrative offers Encarnacion will garner.
It’s a nice thought, but focusing on Mitch Moreland is the best alternative– even if he does carry a left handed bat. I’m willing to give the Indians front office room to operate. Their every move in preparation for the 2016 season worked out to perfection. The judgement of Chernoff and company needs to be trusted this offseason.
Andrew McCutchen
A lot’s been written about on this site ever since Boston Globe writer Nick Cafardo listed the Indians as an ideal spot for Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen.
Lots of teams are interested, but it doesn’t sound like the Tribe is going to land the former NL MVP.
“[The Indians] need help in the outfield, but Andrew McCutchen is not the guy. The Pirates are giving strong signals that they’re going to trade their former NL MVP center fielder. He has one year left on his contract with a club option for 2018.
Pirates GM Neal Huntington and Antonetti grew up in the Indians’ front office. They value players the same way, which makes a deal like this extremely hard to make. In other words, it’s not happening,” wrote Cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes.
Pen Help
No surprise here, but FanRag’s Jon Heyman reported the Indians seek a bullpen lefty.
Yanks, mets, Indians, Jays, dodgers, rox, dbacks seek pen lefty. Dunn, logan, blevins in great spot.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 5, 2016
With Andrew Miller under contract, the Indians should add a southpaw who can be someone else the team can count on in high-leverage situations.
Next: 3 Replacements For Mike Napoli
The Winter Meetings run through Thursday. The action’s just getting fired up. Stay tuned.