Steve Pearce
Gerardo Parra, outfield, 28
The Indians are in more need of a right-hander, but the lefty-hitting Parra could still help — especially if he would play like he did for the Brewers before they dealt him to the Orioles at the trade deadline.
Parra hit .328 in 323 at bats for Milwaukee, with 24 doubles, five triples and nine homers. He did draw just 20 walks. With Baltimore, Parra slid to .237 in 224 at bats. He homered five times and collected just eight walks. Parra was a combined 14-of-18 base stealing with the two teams.
Parra can play any outfield position well. In fact, he won Gold Gloves while with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2011 and 2013.
Steve Pearce, outfield/first base, 32
Pearce slugged 15 home runs in just 294 at bats with the Orioles last season, but he hit just .218 with 23 walks and 69 strikeouts. The right-handed hitter was remarkably productive in 2014, with a .293 batting average, 26 doubles and 21 homers in 338 at bats. He is an acceptable defender at the corner outfield positions and at first base and added some versatility last season, playing 18 games at second base.
Tony Sipp, relief pitcher, 32
The left-handed short man spent the first four years (2009-12) of his big league career with the Indians, posting a 3.68 ERA with 225 strikeouts in 220 1/3 innings over 248 outings.
Sipp was released by the Padres on May 1, 2014 and immediately picked up by the Astros. He pitched well in Houston over the remainder of that campaign and especially in the past season, when he had a 1.99 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings.
An improved changeup has helped Sipp become effective against righty hitters. It would not be surprising to see a few contenders court him.
Denard Span, outfield, 32
Among the players on this list, Span may well land the largest contract. That, despite his missing much of last season and having surgery on his left hip for a torn labrum.
The lefty-swinging Span hit .301, but had just 275 at bats, for the Nationals in 2015. He had 17 doubles, five homers, 25 walks and 26 strikeouts, and was 11-of-11 on stolen bases. He is still considered one of the game’s best defensive center fielders.
Juan Uribe, third base, 37
Uribe is much like Freese in the “intangibles” category. He is a proven big-game player with championship experience and a team leader.
Despite his age, the former shortstop is still solid defensively. He can also fill in at second base. Last season, Uribe played for the Dodgers, Braves and Mets, hitting a combined .253 in 360 at bats. He still has pop, as shown by his 14 homers. He walked 34 times and fanned 80.
Chris Young, outfield, 32
Not to be confused with Chris Young the free agent pitcher, who helped the Royals win the World Series.
This Chris Young, a right-handed hitter, can play any of the outfield positions and do a good job. He hit .252 with 14 homers in 318 at bats for the Yankees last season, with a .320 on-base percentage and a .453 slugging percentage. What should be especially attractive to the Indians is that in 153 at bats against left-handed pitching, Young hit .327 with 15 doubles and seven homers.
Recent Comments