The Cleveland Indians have a few holes these free agent vets can fill.
The Indians have a few holes they still need to fill. Guys like Bobby Bradley and Bradley Zimmer have come back down to Earth, and the starting pitching has been so-so. The starting pitching has been so-so due to the constant stream of injuries though, it’s not like they have an issue with the top of the rotation, they just have an issue with the top of the rotation being healthy. The Tribe needs some help in the rotation and the lineup, and these veteran free agents could help with that.
None of these guys are going to fix the team by themselves or compete for a major award, but they should help the Tribe get through this rough patch with injuries.
Utility Jedd Gyorko
Jedd Gyorko is a Terry Francona player if there was ever one. Having played everywhere on the infield, and even a few games in the outfield, Gyorko is a guy who could really come in handy for the Tribe. His price for the year is unknown, and that’s probably the biggest hiccup in him signing somewhere.
Right now he’s serving as a minor league manager but he has an opt-out clause with the team should a Major League club come calling. Seeing as Gyorko hit nine home runs in just 42 games during the 2020 season, could you imagine what he’d be capable of in Cleveland?
You’re looking at the equivalence of a 30+ home run season. Considering his opt-out clause in his managerial contract and being just 32-years-old, he seems like a great fit offensively.
P Jeff Samardzija
Fun fact, Jeff Samardzija was a better receiver in college than he was a reliever; or starter. Samardzija was former Browns’ quarterback Brady Quinn’s favorite target in college. Samardzija was seen by many as a first or second-round pick but opted to play baseball instead and ended up in the Chicago Cubs organization.
Throughout his career, Samardzija went from reliever to starter and even netted an All-Star Game nod. He’s not a future Hall of Famer by any means but he was mostly a solid starter up until 2020 when injuries mounted and really affected his play.
No one expects him to be an ace or AL Cy Young candidate, but he could be a good fourth or fifth starter if he’s healthy. That’s the big question. Is he healthy? He’s thrown for several teams this winter, showing he can still go, but no one offered him a contract.
The Indians are in a unique position, as he’s someone who has a decent track record and a need for pitching. The problem is they need to avoid trading their young prospects, so going after a banged-up veteran may make more sense.
OF Yasiel Puig
The former Tribe player, who last played in the Major Leagues with Cleveland ironically enough, is only 30-years-old and currently hitting .289 with the Mexican League’s Veracruz club. Puig, who didn’t sign a contract during the 2020 season remains unsigned still, despite hitting .297 in Cleveland. Puig, who was once seen as the Dodgers answer to Mike Trout, never fulfilled his potential and has a bit of a personality problem but Puig could shore up the outfield woes for the Tribe in a heartbeat.
The Indians are doing better in the outfield, especially compared to the start of the season, but the Indians could always use more bats. Especially with Bradley Zimmer hitting just .226 for right now, with zero home runs. What makes Puig especially intriguing is the fact he can play center field for a club if called upon.
He’s not Jim Edmonds or Kenny Lofton out in center but he’s an upgrade over Zimmer’s bat at this juncture in the season.
Seeing as how he’s been playing in Mexico and wanting to get back into the Majors, it’s hard to see the Indians having to spend much to get him for the rest of the year. That makes him really ideal.