Cleveland Indians: Exploring first base options already on the team

The Cleveland Indians have two players on their roster who could replace Carlos Santana at first base if he leaves. They are both currently in the outfield.

It’s no secret that Carlos Santana is a hot commodity. He gets on base, he hits home runs, and he plays incredible first base. The Cleveland Indians spent big money to get Edwin Encarnacion, and shelling out similar money for Santana may not be possible.

Unfortunately, Encarnacion can’t play the field very well. Fortunately, the Tribe has two options right under their nose.

I’m going to make the case that both Michael Brantley and Lonnie Chisenhall will benefit from platooning at first base and in the outfield, with off days going to Encarnacion.

Both have checkered injury histories, and both could use a healthy season (especially Brantley) with contract situations looming. Brantley doesn’t want the Cleveland Indians faithful to refer to him as the next Grady Sizemore. And Lonnie wants to be remembered for something.

The Case for Brantley

Michael Brantley is not a great outfielder. At least not anymore. And it’s not that he couldn’t be great; it’s that he doesn’t have the opportunity. And coming up on his thirties, Brantley is ready to bat and play first. It’s a no-brainer. The Tribe picked up his option knowing full well that Brantley is not going to see a ton of time in the outfield.

With years of recent injuries, some stemming from outfield play, others from bad luck, Brantley could use a change of scenery. Known as a stoic gentleman and good teammate, Michael is playing for his next contract this year. There’s almost no chance that he is with the Cleveland Indians beyond 2018, so why not audition at first base, a position that many teams always need solid players?

Many have transitioned successfully from the outfield to first base. Many position players in general benefit from a move to first base. Cleveland’s own Jim Thome had a storied career at first base. The younger of us don’t remember Thomet making errors at third. I surely do. First base saved his career. And it could do the same for Brantley.

The Case for Chisenhall

Lonnie Chisenhall reminds me of the puppy that lost its way. He just can’t find a fit with this Cleveland Indians team, even though he’s rather excelled at a variety of positions.

Lonnie started with Cleveland at third base. It’s not that he performed super poorly, it was more of the timing. He could hit, but his fielding errors just came at bad times. And with Jose Ramirez and a glutton of other third base prospects in the wings, Lonnie didn’t make sense there.

So he moved to the outfield. And what an incredible outfielder he was. Lonnie rated as a top defensive right fielder in 2016, a transition that the Tribe greatly appreciated. His left-handed bat has always been a matchup problem, but he can manage a platoon, and he fields well enough to not warrant a late-inning defensive substitute.

Then Lonnie moved to center. Same thing! He had a fantastic time in center field, proving to be an adequate defender, though we saw his hitting drop off a bit. Then the injury bug hit him.

Lonnie has been relatively injured throughout his career, and he’s moved up and down a lot between Columbus and Cleveland. It’s almost as if Terry Francona forgets that Lonnie is an incredibly capable fielder and hitter, choosing to go with more seasoned veterans. Fun fact, Lonnie is a seasoned veteran with almost six years of service.

He could use a solid position, where he will excel, where management and the executives won’t wonder if there is a better option out there. With Encarnacion behind him, Lonnie could play most days at first base, and he wouldn’t have to worry about something like the Jay Bruce signing happening or someone like Bradley Zimmer coming out of nowhere.

Who’s the better option?

For the purposes of this article, I believe that Michael Brantley is actually the better option. Brantley hits for average and some power. The main difference is that Brantley’s body is better suited for first base, and he’s a fan and management favorite.

Next: Best fits at first base in 2018

Chisenhall is still a capable outfielder, and there’s no reason to take his defensive strength (including his incredible arm) out of the outfield. While Chisenhall might not be an everyday player in right (or left), he will do his service without complaining. He’s the ultimate team player.