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

As Major League Baseball reaches the trade deadline, teams will be looking to all avenues to add help. For the Cleveland Indians, it might be free agency.

The unusual circumstances that the 2020 season is presenting day-by-day is something that teams across Major League Baseball are having to adjust to, and the Cleveland Indians are no exception.

The trade deadline is rapidly approaching, but this year’s deadline could look a lot different than in years past. The concern of moving players from organization to organization that could possibly be the movement of COVID-19 as well could force teams to shy away for making an exchange for a player via trade. Luckily, this isn’t the only avenue they can look to.

Additionally, there will be teams that might be on the cusp of competing, but is it really worth it to sell out pieces of the future for a shortened season, getting even less than a normal deadline deal? It remains to be seen if sellers will lower the price in deals because of the shortened time table for return, which could also make teams avoid the trade market.

For both of these reasons, the ideal location to add players down the stretch could be through free agency. Despite it already being late-August, there are still plenty of well known names on the free agent list that could be difference-makers for teams in the final leg of the season and then the postseason as well.

This year’s free agent group has a strong representation at most positions, and not all the options are aging veterans that have lost a step. In some cases, there are players that could contribute for multiple years if signed.

As one of the teams that might not want to move younger pieces, the Cleveland Indians could be one the teams to explore the free agent pool. If that is the case, here are three players that could be inserted into the batting lineup upon arrival in Cleveland, of course pending physicals and COVID-19 testing.

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.