Cleveland Indians: It’s Time to Let Mike Aviles Go

Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The Cleveland Indians may say “Good Bye” to a long-time utility man

Entering this season, the Cleveland Indians held a team option on Mike Aviles. The option was only worth $3.5 million and had a $200k buyout, so the decision was essentially over $3.3 million. While this small monetary value may have made this decision seem insignificant, for a team with a small budget, three million dollars could go a long way.  The team ultimately decided to pick up the option, and the rest is history.

Now, Mike Aviles’ tenure with the Tribe is up in the air. He will be a free agent at the conclusion of the World Series – assuming that the Indians do not offer him a qualifying offer, which would be a shocking turn of events. To resign the veteran may seem like a minor decision, but once again, the few million dollars a deal might cost is a few million dollars not spent extending Cody Allen.

Further complicating the matter is Aviles’ connection with Terry Francona and the team. Francona managed Aviles for half of 2011, and they continued the bond on the Indians. Over Aviles’ three-year tenure with the Tribe, he has produced middling results but has been a big part of the team. Perhaps most the most complicating part of the decision is that Aviles’ daughter is being treated for leukemia at the Cleveland Clinic.

This said, his on-field performance should make the decision quite simple: the Cleveland Indians should not bring him back in 2016.

Next: How's His Performance?