Factory Of Sadness
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Indians: 4 veteran free agent options to replace Josh Naylor with

By Chad Porto

Jun 27, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Cleveland Indians second baseman Ernie Clement (28) and outfielder Josh Naylor (22) collide on a fly ball against the Minnesota Twins in the fourth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 27, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Cleveland Indians second baseman Ernie Clement (28) and outfielder Josh Naylor (22) collide on a fly ball against the Minnesota Twins in the fourth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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ST LOUIS, MO – SEPTEMBER 24: Ryan Braun #8 of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts after fouling a pitch off of his leg against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning at Busch Stadium on September 24, 2020 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST LOUIS, MO – SEPTEMBER 24: Ryan Braun #8 of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts after fouling a pitch off of his leg against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning at Busch Stadium on September 24, 2020 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

Ryan Braun

Despite his tarnished legacy, Ryan Braun could add some stability to an otherwise depleted outfield unit. Spending his whole career in Milwaukee, Braun was not re-signed by the Brewers following the end of the 2020 season. While many considered him “all but retired“, there are others who believe he’s about to attempt a comeback. The Indians don’t need surgery, they just need a tourniquet. Something to help stop the bleeding.

Braun at 37-years-old isn’t the player he once was (mostly because he’s not using steroids at the moment) but he doesn’t need to be either. This isn’t about signing someone like Braun because you think he can still hit .300, hit 40 home runs, and put up 100 RBIs. No, we’re talking 8th or 9th in the lineup, with a hope for a .250 average but we’ll settle for .230, and maybe 10 to 15 home runs and hopefully 40 RBIs.

That’s it, that’s what you’re hoping for out of anyone who signs and Braun could probably do that. He hit .233 in 2020 but before, in 2019, he hit .285 with 22 home runs and 77RBIs. So he still does have something left.

The question is going to be if he’s willing to suit up for the Indians and try to help them get to the playoffs.

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