Factory Of Sadness
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Cleveland Indians: Five potential free agent bargains to sign

By Ryan Rosko

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 07: Gloves and ball sit on the field during batting practice before Game Three of the American League Division Series between the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium on October 7, 2007 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - OCTOBER 07: Gloves and ball sit on the field during batting practice before Game Three of the American League Division Series between the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians at Yankee Stadium on October 7, 2007 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Todd Frazier, 3B

Todd Frazier could have or better yet should have already played for Cleveland. However, no trade over the last few seasons was able to come fruition.

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Adding Frazier to this list is strictly because of one reason and that is flexibility. By adding Frazier, manager Terry Francona could move third baseman Jose Ramirez back to the outfield to improve that part of the team.

Or, J-Ram could slide over to second base thus changing Francona’s mind resulting in Jason Kipnis playing the outfield again.

Depending on what plays out with Kansas City Royals’ free agent 3B Mike Moustakas his potential suitors could also be vying for Frazier in the foreseeable future.

Adding Frazier is definitely a long-shot, mainly due to the fact I don’t see a dramatic drop off in salary for him this season. In 2017, while with the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees, Frazier was paid $12 million.

Crazier things have happened and maybe Cleveland is able to land Frazier or someone of a similar skill-set at a different position. Things that work in the Indians’ favor are Frazier’s 2017 batting average (.213) and a decrease in both home runs and RBI from 2017 compared to 2016 (27 from 40 and 76 from 98).

While those numbers are still very good, they are not what many have been expecting from him. Those stats are not as analytical as other stats like WAR, etc., but the drop off says plenty even for a talent like Frazier.

Francona has a way to get the most out of lineups. So, if the market falls enough maybe, just maybe Cleveland can find a way to bring Frazier in (and this time without having to give up multiple prospects).

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