Solving the Indians' Outfield Problem - Part 2: Free Agents

In part 1 of this series I looked at the possible trade options for outfielders the Indians might consider to improve their outlook in the outfield for 2020. Here, we will take a look at ten free agent options still available. Again, I list each player's projected wRC+ for 2020, their career splits in wRC+, and their career Defensive Runs Saved and Ultimate Zone Rating per 150 games.

Free Agents

Marcell Ozuna – 119 wRC+ (126, 109) 25 DRS, 4.7 UZR/150
Notes: With the best offensive numbers available among free agents and solid career defensive numbers, I think Ozuna is the cream of the crop as far as outfielders the Indians could sign go. And, if this were any kind of a normal team, I’d feel cautiously optimistic about the fact that Ozuna’s market seems to be pretty slow, hopeful that the Indians could sweep in with the right deal. But, I have zero expectations that the Dolans will be willing to okay even something like a three-year $45 million deal to dramatically improve one of our corner outfield spots and provide a middle of the order bat. Sad, but that’s the reality of things, currently.

Nicholas Castellanos – 112 wRC+ (137, 104) -36 DRS, -11.6 UZR/150
Notes: Castellanos has been a terrible outfielder, but his numbers improved ever so slightly there last year. Despite having Boras as an agent, I doubt he is getting big money because he is the best fit as a DH somewhere. His value also comes mainly from crushing LHP, and the Indians have Franmil Reyes for that. I’d have been happy to have traded for Castellanos for the stretch run last year, but I don’t really want to sign him this off-season. He’d be a clear improvement over our current options for corner outfield/DH, but I think the Indians’ resources could be invested more wisely in other players.

Yasiel Puig – 111 wRC+ (109, 130), 40 DRS, 2.6 UZR/150
Notes: Many of us fell in love with Puig during his time here, if we weren’t already in love with the hot-headed, wild Cuban horse. I mean, the night he was traded to Cleveland he tried to fight the entire city of Pittsburgh – is it any wonder that we long to have him back? Puig is a great fit because he hits RHP very well. It’s fair to wonder if he will ever reach the slugging potential he has – he looks like he’s going to average out to about a 2-win per year outfielder, but there’s always the potential for more with him. I feel it’s unlikely the Indians will give out a two-year deal to an outfielder, and I have to believe Puig will get that from someone. But, if Puig signs somewhere else for one-year and $8-10 million, we should riot.

Alex Gordon – 94 wRC+ (96, 107) 125 DRS, 9.2 UZR/150
Notes: All rumors I’ve heard are that Gordon wants to end his career in Kansas City, which is fine. Recently, I heard that he will sign with the Royals by the end of the week. Good for him. But, if he should decide to show his old team what they’re missing, why not head over to Cleveland for a summer? You’ll still see the Royals 19 times, Alex, and your solid numbers against RHP are a good fit here. Are you ok with a platoon role, if needed, though? Lmk.

Domingo Santana – 105 wRC+ (119, 109) -31 DRS, -11.9 UZR/150
Notes: Santana is a terrible outfielder. He’s an above average hitter, and has the potential to carry a team offensively at times. If the Indians sign him, one of our corner outfield spots is going to be a black hole defensively between Santana or Reyes, but he does seem like the kind of player who could fall into the Dolan’s allowable price range.

Steven Souza, Jr. – 104 wRC+ (108, 101) 5 DRS, -1 UZR/150
Notes: After missing a year due to extensive knee surgery, Souza is back looking for a job. There’s a ton of risk here, of course, but if Souza gets to the point of looking for a minor-league deal, I’d hope the Indians would be at the front of the line to get him into camp. I also wouldn’t be opposed to a one-year $3-4 million major league deal for him, even as a right-handed hitter. Why? Because our current outfield options have proven nothing at the major league level or are huge defensive liabilities, just in case you’ve forgotten.

Matt Joyce – 105 wRC+ (63, 122) -8 DRS, 0 UZR/150
Notes: Remember Joyce? He got cut by the Tribe at the end of camp, then had a season that demonstrated that was the wrong choice. Was Joyce amazing? No. Was he CLEARLY superior to Hanley Ramirez and Carlos Gonzalez? Yes, 1,000 times yes. Who knows what Joyce thinks about Cleveland after his experience with them last spring, but, if it wasn’t for that history, this is exactly the kind of player I’d be expecting the Indians to sign to a one-year deal.

Kevin Pillar – 88 wRC+ (103, 81) 60 DRS, 6.5 UZR/150
Notes: I do not want another defensive-first outfielder who cannot hit right-handed pitching.

Carlos Gomez – 83 wRC+ (93, 96) 79 DRS, 6.9 UZR/150
Notes: Gomez used to be a decent player. He is not anymore. If he got a minor-league deal here, I wouldn’t be mad, because what’s the risk?

Lonnie Chisenhall – 83 wRC+ (92, 104) 8 DRS, 3.1 UZR/150
Notes: Some have clamored for a reunion with Chisenhall. I have not. From his last year with the Indians to his time with the Pirates, Chisenhall has developed a reputation for spending more time golfing than rehabbing. There’s some LH thump left there, of course, but good luck getting him to stay on the field.

Free-Agent Options Ranked in Desirability and Fit:
1. Ozuna, 2. Puig, 3. Joyce, 4. Gordon, 5. Castellanos, 6. Santana, 7. Souza, 8. Pillar, 9. Gomez, 10. Chisenhall.
Free-Agent Options Ranked in Likelihood the Indians Sign Them:
1. Santana, 2. Souza, 3. Puig, 4. Gordon, 5. Gomez, 6. Joyce, 7. Pillar, 8. Ozuna, 9. Castellanos, 10. Chisenhall

Bottom Line: I think the Indians probably end up with one of these players in camp on a minor-league deal. It feels like Santana or Souza, to me, because both seem likely to end up with minor-league deals. The off-season is at the point where a Puig (or, please, God, an Ozuna) signing would likely make just about every engaged Indians’ fan thrilled with the team entering Spring Training, but it just doesn’t feel like the team is going to invest that kind of money in any player. Of course, the Front Office has moved in relative silence before, so, until the end of March and until all the decent free agents sign, we can remain hopeful that the Indians will make a move to shore up the weakest part of the team and gear up for a run at another Central division title.