Cleveland Indians: 3 free agents that could make a difference in the lineup

Ben Zobrist – 39 years old – Second Base, Shortstop, Outfield

The Chicago Cubs took away one of Cleveland’s heroes this offseason in Jason Kipnis, so why not sign the 2016 World Series MVP, Ben Zobrist?

At 39 years old, Zobrist should be looking for a ring over a paycheck. Sure, he won with the Cubs in 2016 and the Royals in 2015, but I’m sure he wouldn’t turn away from another ring. His age should also result in a cheap, one-year deal that would be club friendly.

What Zobrist would bring to Cleveland fits what the team needs really well. He would be able to better fill the role that Mike Freeman currently plays as a depth middle infielder as well as left fielder.

Through Freeman’s first 10 games in 2020 he is slashing just .167/.250/.222 with one RBI and one double as his only extra-base hit.

Now, Zobrist only played 47 games last season with Chicago, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t be able to contribute to the Indians’ postseason push. In 2018, his last “full” season, playing in 139 games Zobrist was able to slash .305/.378/.440 with 58 RBI, 28 doubles and nine home runs, all of which would be a vast improvement over Freeman.

Zobrist would also add another switch-hitter to the lineup that would slot into the six-hole well behind the right-handed power bat of Franmil Reyes. He could also bat second and bump a struggling Jose Ramirez down in the order where he might be more comfortable while keeping four switch-hitters at the top of the Indians’ lineup.

The last thing we’ll touch on is Zobrist’s postseason experience. Zobrist has appeared in 64 playoff games, including 12 World Series games between 2015 and 2016. In an expanded postseason format this year, that veteran presence and leadership could play a big role down the stretch.

Rajai Davis – 39 years old – Outfield

Still a free agent, Rajai Davis could make a return to Cleveland, again. In what would be his third stint with the Indians, Davis is still searching for his first World Series title after nearly capturing one in Cleveland in 2016.

Fans will also remember Davis as the player that kept hopes alive in game seven and reignited the team late in the game in 2016. That veteran leadership is what this investment would be if the Indians brought him back.

At 39 years old, he’s lost a step, but would still provide a threat on the bases and a strong fielding option with some pop at the plate. Greg Allen has had the expectation of providing this role for a few seasons, but has yet to harness the opportunity. Allen’s average is sub-.150 and he has just one stolen base.

Two years ago in Cleveland, Davis appeared in 101 games and still managed to steal 21 bases at the age of 37. Having that type of speed and leadership on the bench could be a huge advantage in the playoffs for the Indians.

Davis’ age could also be a positive for the Indians. Cleveland’s “outfield regulars,” being guys who play solely in the outfield and aren’t utility guys, have an average age of 26 with Tyler Naquin being the oldest of the bunch at 29.

If anything, Davis would provide an older voice in the clubhouse with chemistry already established with the team. Majority of the players on the team have crossed paths with him at some point and would welcome him with open arms into the dugout.

Yasiel Puig – 29 years old – Outfield

After a positive COVID-19 test essentially canceled his deal with the Braves, Yasiel Puig still remains a free agent and long after his battle with the virus should be over. Now, he could be the hottest name on the market for teams needing a final push to the playoffs.

The Indians’ uniform was the last one that Puig put on and it could very well be the next. His spot in right field is still a rotating door for Cleveland as they haven’t been able to land a trio of consistent outfielders, thus the reason all three players in this can play the outfield.

After arriving in Cleveland as part of the Trevor Bauer trade, tabbed as one of the more memorable deadline moves of late by the Indians, Puig was a big part of the Indians late season success. Puig was able to log 23 RBI in Cleveland while slashing .297/.377/.423.

Being a dangerous presence at the plate, Puig would be able to slot in behind Reyes in the order, helping to solidify the middle of the order once again for the Tribe while also locking down one of the three question marks in the outfield.

The one upside to Puig that the rest of this list doesn’t provide is potential beyond this season. At just 29 years old he would be one of the two oldest outfielders on the roster with Naquin, but he also could re-sign and produce for multiple years. He tried the free agent route this past year and it didn’t go the way he would have liked, so maybe a year later he would opt to stay.