3 realistic free agents the Cleveland Indians could potentially sign.
The Cleveland Indians go into the offseason that will undoubtedly be marked by change.
Brad Hand’s option has already been declined. Brad Mills won’t return to his role as Terry Francona’s bench whisperer, while Tito’s health concerns leave us wondering if he’ll be able to make it through the season.
The World Series ended just four days ago, and this is just the tip of the ice berg. Carlos Santana had his option declined. Cesar Hernandez will likely sign elsewhere in free agency. The Indians couldn’t find a trade partner who wanted to take on Brad Hand. Francisco Lindor is as good as gone.
Jose Ramirez may be the only starting infielder to return to a team that was in a dog fight for the AL Central crown in 2020.
And now, it seems more and more like Carlos Carrasco may be traded, as the Indians have made their financial situation appear to be very dire.
So, with the ability to spend virtually no money this offseason, here’s three realistic free agents the Tribe could potential target.
1. Steven Souza Jr.
Souza’s best season came in 2017, when he hit 30 homers and drove in 78 runs. He also struck out a lot, fanning 179 times. He would appear to be in the mold of today’s slugger, meaning focus on launch angle, let it rip, and if you strikeout, well, go get ’em next time.
Souza should come cheap because he hasn’t played a ton since that career year in Tampa. He only played in 72 games with Arizona in 2018, and then didn’t record an at-bat the following season after tearing his ACL in Spring Training.
Arizona didn’t tender him an offer and Souza went to the Cubs, where he plays din just 11 games for Chicago in the truncated 2020 campaign.
He hit one home run in 31 plate appearances while striking out 15 times!
He’s the classic Tribe signing in that Cleveland will pay him pennies with the hope he can find the magic that led him to that career-year in 2017.
Unfortunately, the Indians’ lottery tickets haven’t paid off lately, with Carlos Gonzalez being a notable bust in 2019, and Domingo Santana failing to live up to fan expectations in 2020.
2. Jake Marisnick
In a 16-game sample size with the New York Mets in 2020, Marisnick posted a .959 OPS. Unfortunately, that’s .293 points higher than his career average.
If the Indians are banking on the eight-year veteran to continue posting those types of numbers of a longer period of time, then sure, the singing makes sense.
Unfortunately, stats in baseball tend to work their way back to the norm, and the norm for Marisnick won’t be driving you to buy season tickets in 2021. He posted a career slash line of .229/.281/.385. But MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand listed him as a potential free-agent signing, so the potential connection can’t be ignored.
The Indians roster is loaded with “fourth outfielders” that could basically do the same job as Marisnick. Giving a younger player with upside such as Daniel Johnson would be the preferred decision.
That said, this is going to be an offseason of change. Tyler Naquin was given a chance and disappointed this past season. Bradley Zimmer is entering his age 28 season and we’re all still waiting for him to flash his first-round potential. Oscar Mercado just went through one of the worst cases of the sophomore slump as I’ve ever seen.
If the Tribe is looking to add bodies, Marisnick could certainly be in the mix, though.
3. Andrelton Simmons
With the expectation Francisco Lindor will be endearing himself to a different fan base in 2021, there’s the natural question of who will play shortstop next season.
There’s been talk of Yu Chang, as well as Tyler Freeman.
However, Cleveland.com’s Terry Pluto wrote that he could see Chang taking over at second for Cesar Hernandez. Pluto noted how Freeman has yet to even play at the Triple-A level. Plus, the Indians historically don’t like to bring rookies to the cold north shore for their first taste of the big leagues.
That leaves Simmons, who hit .297 with the Angels last season. At 31 years old, and an ankle injury on his resume, Pluto wrote “The free agent market for him could be very cold this winter.”
Interestingly, the Dodgers get talked about as a landing a spot for Lindor, but it’s actually the Angels that appear to be the more realistic option.
Jake Marisnick
Andrelton Simmons