Clevelinks: Clint Frazier Notes; Could the Cleveland Indians Land Kyle Schwarber?

Cleveland Indians Could Land a Big Bat this Winter

Perhaps the biggest task that the Cleveland Indians will undertake this offseason is retooling the offence. While the Tribe’s offence wasn’t particularly bad in 2015 – it even ranked ninth in baseball by weighted runs created, which measures the number of runs a batter or team should have created – it was one of the team’s biggest weaknesses. More specifically, the team struggled in the power department, and they tied for second-to-last place in isolated power, the difference between slugging percentage and batting average.

One potential way to improve this area, as noted by Merritt Rohlfing, would be to acquire Kyle Schwarber. Schwarber, 22, made his debut with the Chicago Cubs this season and accumulated an impressive 1.9 fWAR and 16 home runs in just 69 games. Given his underlying metrics, it is quite likely possible that his overall batting skills will improve in the coming seasons. This said, his .355 on-base percentage is nothing about which to complain.

More from Cleveland Guardians News

• Cleveland Guardians tantalizingly close to locking up AL Central tiebreakers
• Cleveland Guardians: Terry Francona becomes meme in profanity-laced ejection
• Say goodbye to defensive shifts and hello to bigger bases, pitch clock in 2023
• Cleveland Guardians: Shane Bieber second-fastest to 800 strikeouts in major-league history
• The next week will make or break the Cleveland Guardians’ season

As for the other side of the transaction, Merritt suggested that the Indians send the 25-year-old Danny Salazar to the Cubs. Doing so would mesh the strengths of the two teams. Salazar has been quite good for the Cleveland Indians in his short tenure, and he, incredibly, only has one less year of team control than Schwarber. An actual trade would likely involve more parts than Salazar since his value most likely does not match that of the young catcher.

In other news, Clint Frazier has played well for the Scottsdale Scorpions, as noted by Mike Rosenbaum of MLB.com. The MLB.com 35^th best prospect overall has batted .375 with two home runs in the last six games. He has continued his success from the end of 2015 when he slashed .285/.377/.465 after the All-Star break. Hopefully, this is a sign of good things to come for the youngster.

More from around the AL Central:

Cleveland Indians: Could Kyle Schwarber Join the Tribe? – Wahoo’s on First

Frazier’s Success in Leadoff Spot Continues – Indians.com

Kansas City Royals’ Ned Yost is off the Hook Again – Kings of Kauffman

Next: Could Kyle Schwarber Join the Tribe?