The Cleveland Indians both lost and gained an outfielder
The Cleveland Indians received bad news yesterday when they learned that Major League Baseball suspended Abraham Almonte for the first 80 games of the season. The outfielder violated the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program by testing positive for a Boldenone, a performance-enhancing substance. Almonte was supposed to be one of the team’s starting outfielders this year, but he now the team will have to find another option.
One possibility for the Indians is to sign Austin Jackson. Just a few days ago, it has only been a few days since my declaration that signing Austin Jackson makes little sense, but it appears that this is no longer the case. Now that Jackson is not replacing Almonte, he has a significantly higher value to the team. It seems that a one-year, $10 million deal could get the job done.
More from Cleveland Guardians News
- 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
- The Cleveland Guardians offense is suddenly inept
In other news, the Cleveland Indians signed Will Venable to a minor league deal. The 33-year-old was a 20/20 player back in 2013, but he has struggled ever since. Last year he batted a sad .244, which was somehow an improvement over the prior season. At the very least, he stole 16 bases in 17 attempts in 2015.
Venable will join an increasingly crowded outfield picture, including Michael Choice, Collin Cowgill, Shane Robinson, and Robbie Grossman. He could find some at-bats in a platoon with Rajai Davis, but the Indians have younger options who could do the same. All in all, it seems unlikely that he makes the team out of Spring Training.
More from around the American League Central:
Cleveland Indians: Abraham Almonte Suspended 80 Games – Wahoo’s on First
Cleveland Indians Add Will Venable to Outfield Mix – Wahoo’s on First
The award for best baseball movie goes to… – Cut4
Cleveland Indians: What to Do With Giovanny Urshela – Wahoo’s on First
Kansas City Royals and Salvador Perez Starting Contract Talks – Wahoo’s on First
#Indians on Twitter
Not So Honest Abe? #Indians
— Anthony Castrovince (@castrovince) February 26, 2016
#Indians reportedly add Will Venable to their OF mix as non-roster invite: https://t.co/woPTEONU39 pic.twitter.com/hYozD2eMUz
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) February 26, 2016
#Indians Michael Brantley has just 139 K looking during his career; 64 of which came on pitches out of the zone. pic.twitter.com/enl9eRB12w
— Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) February 26, 2016
Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @WahoosonFirst!