Do The Cleveland Indians Have Internal Options at 1B?

As the Cleveland Indians explore options at first base, Factory of Sadness writer Joe Russo explores the club’s internal options.

The Indians have kept fans in suspense all winter long with the non-moves at first base. Will Mike Napoli be back? Will Edwin Encarnacion accept his below market offer? Are there dark horse candidates we aren’t aware of?

We know Chris Colabello isn’t the answer, but who might be an answer that is already in the organization?

There are interesting options at the minor league level as well as on the big league club. All of these options assume two things. The first, that Mike Napoli plays elsewhere in 2016. The second is that Rajai Davis is also not resigned. Since they haven’t been brought back yet, we have to read the tea leaves as they currently are.

In the Minors

Let’s get one thing out of the way. Jesus Aguilar is Matt LaPorta all over again. The right handed hitting first baseman did manage to slug 30 home runs in Columbus this year, but he is not a long term answer. He simply hasn’t proven he can put together a complete season in the minors to warrant first shot at the job. Those 30 home runs also only managed a .247 average after a dreadful start. His second half did offer some hope, in addition to the 93 RBI. His .791 OPS, though, isn’t a number that would likely translate to the majors. After all, he only has 10 hits over 35 total games at the major league level.

One name to think about is Giovanny Urshela. While he didn’t have a great performance at the plate during his time in Cleveland during the 2015 campaign, he absolutely showed he can handle third base. Why not give him a shot at first base, then? Urshela played mostly at third base in Columbus, but he also played five games at shortstop, so he is likely to be able to play defensively at first. Urshela also led the Clippers in total hits with 128 and batted .274, albeit with little power production and a measly .294 OBP.

At the Majors

Carlos Santana is the obvious candidate on the big-league club. He’s played there before and is a known commodity. There’s nothing new to say about him. There are two other options still available.

Lonnie Chisenhall has some experience playing first base. After coming up as a third baseman, it can be assumed he could handle first base full time. While he would almost certainly need a platoon partner against left handed pitching, the fact that Carlos Santana is a switch hitter mitigates that risk a bit. The Indians have just enough outfield depth with Michael Brantley’s return, Tyler Naquin, Abraham Almonte, and Chisenhall to be able to mix up the outfield enough.

Additionally, Chisenhall’s ability to move to the outfield in late game situations as a sub can be valuable.

Speaking of Brantley, what about trying him out at first? If Almonte can handle left field full time, why not?

If Chris Colabello can be a fourth outfielder type, Brantley at first base could work. His shoulder would certainly appreciate the break from running around in the outfield and it would not move his bat out of the lineup. It would also allow Brantley time to readjust to playing at the major league level.

While Brantley wouldn’t produce the home run totals of a Napoli or Encarnacion, his superior all-around slash line and clutch hitting would be an upgrade at the position.

Next: Rajai Davis Should Be A Priority

None of these solutions are perfect. In a perfect world, Chris Antonetti can convince Encarnacion to accept a deal that works for him and the Tribe and slot him in at clean up and first base. It keeps a right handed hitter in the lineup and adds a higher average power hitter that is sorely missing. But that’s why it’s called an ideal world. The ideas above are in the world as it stands right now.