Updated look at three junder-the-radar free agents who could make sense for Cleveland Indians Indians

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As the offseason roles on, these three free agents could make sense for the Cleveland Indians on a short-team deal.

Baseball’s offseason “Hot Stove” has been anything but hot as the majority of players to hit free agency or big-name trade chips such as Francisco Lindor of the Cleveland Indians have not moved.

Nearly every top ranked name on the open market, including former Indian Trevor Bauer, Astros star center fielder George Springer and Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu are still free agents while trade targets such as Lindor and Colorado’s Nolan Arenado remain wondering when and where they’ll be moved.

With that, the price tag is likely to drop on several free agents as players like to find homes and organizations deal with the financial losses of a shortened and crowd-free 2020 season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

For the small market Indians, this plays into their favor as they seek affordable veteran talent to help the team earn a fifth postseason berth in the last six years.

As the slow-moving winter drags on, here’s an updated look at three under-the-radar free agents that could make sense for the Indians to target as price tags drop and time goes by.

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL – MARCH 08: Jake Marisnick #16 of the New York Mets in action against the Houston Astros during a spring training baseball game at Clover Park on March 8, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The Mets defeated the Astros 3-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

The Indians’ biggest need this offseason is outfield depth, specifically in centerfield. While the team hopes Oscar Mercado emerges as their centerfielder of the future, the team must add veteran help at this position this offseason making Jake Marisnick an intriguing option.

Marisnick has made a successful career out of being a platoon outfielder. He began his career with the Miami Marlins before being dealt to the Houston Astros, where his career began to take off.

In 2015, he helped Houston end a 10-year postseason drought by hitting nine home runs, stealing 24 bases and playing solid defense at all three outfield positions.

Two years later, he hit .246 with 16 home runs, and 35 RBI’s and helped the Astros win 101 regular season games. The team would go on to win the World Series, but he missed the postseason due to injury.

After two more seasons’ in Houston, Marisnick was traded to the New York Mets for the 2020 season. While held to just 16 games due to injury during the COVID shortened year, he put together a strong season while on the field as he slashed .333/.353/.606 with two home runs and five RBI’s.

While he’s not a player who will take the Indians to another level, he is the perfect compliment to Mercado. The young outfielder continues to develop and brings a winning mentality to an Indians team looking to get back to October.

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 04: Robbie Grossman #8 of the Oakland Athletics bats against the San Diego Padres in the bottom of the fourth inning at RingCentral Coliseum on September 04, 2020 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images /

The Indians absolutely need to add at least one outfielder this offseason but in a perfect world they’d bring two to town. Another affordable outfield option for the club to consider is Oakland Athletics left fielder Robbie Grossman.

The 31-year old started his career with the Houston Astros where he struggled in-parts of three-seasons. In December of 2015, Grossman actually signed a minor league deal with the Indians but after he failed to make the big league roster opted out of his deal in May of 2016 and signed with the Minnesota Twins.

Grossman’s decision would do him wonders as in 99 games for the Twins in 2016 he slashed a career-best .280/.386/.443 with 11 home runs and 37 RBI’s.

After hitting .273 in 2018 for Minnesota he signed with the Oakland A’s where he took over as Oakland’s starting left fielder.

The club reached the postseason in each of his two years in Oakland and will now be looking for a new home.

Adding to his value, Grossman is a switch-hitter meaning the Indians can play him against any pitching. On a one-year deal he could bring important stability to the Tribe outfield and potentially be a valuable trade piece come summer if the team is not in the postseason race.

By far, the biggest strength of the Indians roster heading into 2021 is the starting rotation. The team has an ace in Shane Bieber, solid middle-rotation arms in Zach Plesac and Tristan McKenzie and a reliable four or five starter in Aaron Civale.

If the team opts not to trade veteran Carlos Carrasco, then there will be no need to add another starter. But if they do, Carlos Rodon could be a solid replacement.

The 28-year old is a former first-round draft pick who hasn’t quite lived up to his full potential but has shown flashes. In each of his first four big-league seasons, Rodon never posted an ERA above 4.18, including a strong 2016 season that saw him post a 4.04 ERA in 28 starts and 165 innings of work.

Each of the last two seasons have been ravaged by injuries for the south-paw leading to Chicago making the decision to non-tender his contract.
If healthy, Rodon has the potential to be a reliable fourth or fifth starter, making him a perfect fit for the Indians for multiple reasons.

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The first is that all of Cleveland’s current starters are right-handed; thus, Rodon would provide the Indians with a left-handed option and the second is that he’d be an insurance policy in the event of a Carrasco trade.

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Updated look at three under-the-radar free agents who could make sense for Cleveland Indians

As the offseason roles on, these three free agents could make sense for the Cleveland Indians on a short-team deal.

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