Cleveland GM Chris Antonetti has an adaptable approach to this offseason’s free agent market. Players such as Michael Brantley offer defensive versatility, so the Indians aren’t about to limit their search for position players so early in the offseason.
“We can either go left field, center field or first base,” Antonetti said. “And we have some creative ideas for other positions as well.”
The Indians feel “very comfortable” with Brantley in center field, since he played for a month and a half with a serious wrist injury but still posted a .702 OPS in 2011. Brantley will play center field or left field in 2012, depending on the rest of Cleveland’s offseason.
The Indians’ winter will revolve around the search for position players, since they have a full five-man rotation heading into Spring Training 2012. However, the Indians aren’t content with their pitching depth.
“I don’t think we’ll ever be satisfied with our pitching,” he said. “We’ll always look for opportunities to improve.”
The Indians enter the 2011 season with Ubaldo Jimenez, Justin Masterson, Fausto Carmona, Derek Lowe and Josh Tomlin in the rotation. Since Masterson, Carmona and Lowe induce so many ground balls, the Indians intend on lining their infield with above-average defenders.
Jason Kipnis appears to be the leading candidate for the starting second base job and Antonetti says he has the chance to become an above-average defender. Jack Hannahan, a pleasant surprise in 2011, is an “elite” defender, according to Antonetti. He could start at third for Cleveland and Lonnie Chisenhall is also in the mix for regular work at the hot corner. However, the Indians aren’t going to finalize decisions before Spring Training.
Great defense for the infield… but no offense on the flip side.
They need some 1B help for sure. Here’s hoping the Marlins sign Pujols or Fielder so the Indians can pry away Gaby Sanchez for something like Chris Perez and Cord Phelps.
Why would we fill one hole by creating another?
Pestano was better than perez this year. Chris perez is very tradeable. Tribe has several bullpen arms coming up too.
epic fail
Not up for trading Perez unless we got something more than Sanchez, but I’m down with trading Phelps
Wow…when did the Indians put together such a solid rotation? I must have been sleeping..What about Carlos Pena to play first for them, he improved his avg. a bit this year, his glove will definitely help, and the offense looks like it will definitely be needed.
I would be on board with adding Pena. He is terrible against lefties but the tribe can either use duncan in there or put santana at 1B and start marson when a lefty is in there. Adds some power though and good glove. I would be open to a 2yr/$15M deal….not sure he would bite on that though
Hearing that Pena is looking for something closer to 10 mil per.
As far as the other post about dealing Chris Perez although I like Gaby alot if I’m dealing a Closer and a good prospect like Phelps I would surely try to pry Alonzo from Cincy with a offer of Chris Perez / Phelps and Gomez. for Alonzo and a lower level prospect.
Yes Alonzo is a Lefty but we can always fill our outfield slot with a Right Handed power bat.
Then next year when Hafner is gone we can grab another Right Handed power bat then.
Saying phelps is a good prospect is a stretch