Indians: 3 familiar free agents who can help the team in 2020

Drew Pomeranz

Drew Pomeranz has had quite the career.

He was part of the 2011 Ubaldo Jimenez trade between the Indians and the Colorado Rockies. Since then, he has played for a total of six teams as both a starter and a reliever.

The left-hander also shows up on MLB Trade Rumors’ list of the top 50 free agents this offseason. The article predicts him signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers on a two-year, $16 million deal.

Brad Hand remains the anchor of the Indians bullpen, at least for now. He is set to make $7 million in 2020 and has a $10 million team option in 2021. The Indians could be looking to trade him if an offer comes along for younger, cheaper talent.

James Karinchak is likely going to be the focal point of the bullpen after dominating Triple-A opponents in 2019. If the team has faith that he can close out games, deals for Hand become much more intriguing.

Pomeranz is an intriguing option as well given his versatility as a starter and a reliever. The Indians would be getting a veteran version of the top pick they signed way back in 2010. If the price tag is only $8 million per year, this seems like a top target for the team this offseason.

The only year that jumps out is back in 2018 when Pomeranz had a 6.08 ERA as a member of the Boston Red Sox. Though that came in a total of only 26 games. Fenway Park also isn’t the best for ERAs.

He compiled a 2-9 record last year with San Francisco, primarily as a starter, before being traded to Milwaukee and posting a 2.39 ERA as a reliever.

Pomeranz doesn’t stand out as a star. But those numbers in Milwaukee were encouraging and he could be a dynamic reliever who could go multiple innings like Andrew Miller did in the past.