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

Yasiel Puig

This seems like the ultimate no-brainer for the Indians.

Yasiel Puig is a free agent and should be a top priority for the team. He also shows up on the MLB Trade Rumors list with a mind-blowing prediction that he will get a one-year, $8 million with the Detroit Tigers.

The Tigers?

There is no way I see Puig signing with that team destined for last place unless every other team shuns him this offseason. Spotrac has his market value at $17.5 annually. Teams may balk at that but he should at least get a two-year deal worth more annually than the MLBTR prediction. He is too valuable to spend a season losing in Detroit.

The only benefit to a team like Detroit signing him to a one-year deal is that he would surely be traded before the deadline in July. It would be a short-term move to acquire talent for the long-term.

I would prefer the Indians avoid that type of bidding war and just make Puig a fair offer this offseason. That would ensure regularity in the outfield with Puig in right and Oscar Mercado in left. Jake Bauers should be the guy in right but players like Jordan Luplow, Greg Allen, and Bradley Zimmer would also be fighting for playing time. And if the Indians were to sign a big bat to be a designated hitter, Franmil Reyes could even start getting some time in left.

Puig showed up to Cleveland and played hard from day one. His arm is an asset on defense and he is above average on offense. If the best offer on the table is $8 million from the Tigers, the Indians have to top that.

Though I suspect better offers will be out there.