1. Austin Jackson: Outfielder
NEOSI’s Adrienne Goehler already detailed the question marks of the Tribe’s outfield and Jackson could ease some of those concerns if the Tribe added him to the fold.
The Indians have been linked to Jackson throughout the off-season, even as recently as this week. Jackson is arguably the best position player still available in free-agency and the injury to Michael Brantley makes him a particularly intriguing candidate.
The Tribe could choose to roll with a trio of Abraham Almonte, Rajai Davis, and Lonnie Chisenhall with the possibility of Joey Butler, Collin Cowgill and even Jose Ramirez being backup platoon outfielders until Brantley is healthy.
But let’s say Terry Francona and company are not comfortable going that route. Davis is not the same player he was a few years ago. Almonte only played in the latter half of 2015. Chisenhall has yet to put together a full season of consistent production, but has looked great in short-bursts and seemed to fit in well at right field.
So what does Jackson bring that the outfielders currently on the roster don’t? His offense is as good, if not better than any of the Tribe’s outfielders aside from the injured Brantley.
Jackson has been a doubles machine throughout his career. He mashed 25 doubles in 2015, and 30 doubles in back-to-back seasons in 2013 and 2014. He’s still only 29 years old and if the Tribe does sign him it would be reasonable to expect him to even play a large role after Brantley is healthy. The outfield would look better with Davis as a fourth outfield or platoon option when Brantley is back.
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