With free agency around the corner, the American League Central-winning Indians could be on the verge of losing a few notable contributors to their 2017 offense. Carlos Santana, Jay Bruce and Austin Jackson – who each posted above-average production over a combined 1,100-plus plate appearances this year – are slated to hit the open market, and it’s possible outfielder Michael Brantley will join them.
Unlike his three teammates, Brantley is controllable through 2018 (with a $12MM club option), but Cleveland brass has not indicated whether it’s going to bring him back. As of Oct. 19, the Indians were “working through” what to do with Brantley, president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti told reporters.
Antonetti & Co. have until three days after the World Series to make a call on Brantley’s option, which comes with a $1MM buyout. If the Indians are confident Brantley will be consistently available in 2018, keeping him in the fold should be a no-brainer. The 30-year-old has been a quality regular over the past several seasons, after all, especially when he combined to slash a superb .319/.382/.494 with 38 home runs and 35 stolen bases across 1,272 PAs from 2014-15. Unfortunately, injuries have somewhat derailed Brantley’s career since that star-caliber two-year stretch, thus complicating the Indians’ decision.
The Tribe won an AL pennant and came within a victory of a World Series title in 2016, but the team did it without Brantley, who took just 41 trips to the plate and didn’t play past May 9. Shoulder problems troubled Brantley then, though his offseason recovery from surgery went well enough that he was able to make it back for the start of 2017.
In terms of production, this season represented a successful return for Brantley, who hit a respectable .299/.357/.444 with nine homers and 11 steals in 383 PAs. Availability was an issue again, though, as Brantley endured multiple stints on the disabled list with a right ankle sprain. Brantley’s second DL placement, on Aug. 9, brought an end to his regular season with nearly two months remaining in the campaign. Encouragingly, Brantley returned for the Indians’ ALDS loss to the Yankees and totaled 12 PAs in the series, yet his comeback didn’t mean his ankle woes were completely behind him. Shortly after Cleveland’s elimination, Brantley underwent ankle surgery, and he’s now in the early stages of a four- to five-month recovery.
With this year’s World Series set to wrap up Wednesday at the latest, the Indians have less than a week to determine whether an on-the-mend Brantley will be worth keeping around at a fairly high price. Ideally, retaining Brantley would help the Tribe’s offense overcome the potential departures of Santana, Bruce and Jackson. However, considering the Indians are entering the offseason without a lot of payroll space to work with, allocating $12MM to a player with injury questions may be a risk they elect not to take.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
I understand he’s been banged up recently, but I just don’t see where you can get this kind of upside at this price on the open market (assuming that he’s still expected to return in April or May). He was an above-average hitter again this year (albeit nowhere near 2014 and 2015 levels), and Cleveland has some room in the corner OF still. Even 450 PA at Brantley’s normal level is well-worth that sum
Good guy….. great player but always hurt and doesn’t heal fast. Time to move on.
Agreed. Tribe can’t afford to gamble $12M where Brantley is concerned. Sure, he’s worth more than $12M if he’s healthy and at his typical production level, but he’ll heal slowly from this ankle surgery as he always does, and then he’ll suffer another injury we haven’t even thought of yet. $12M is a lot in this market for a big question mark.
He had 3.8 bWAR season last year (over 162), he was a nearly-7 WAR/top 3 MVP guy as recently as 2014, $12M is definitely worth it in this case. He probably should stop playing the OF though. He’s a better player than Bruce, but has the injury issues.
I don’t think Clevo should sign Bruce to play 1B like I’ve seen some people say, but instead pick up Brantley’s option and move him there.
Possibly becoming the new Grady Sizemore? Great when healthy, but never healthy. Seems like a big risk. With all the available corner guys, a mid-market team like Cleveland might be better suited going for cheaper alternatives
I keep seeing that comparison and thinks it’s off. His production wasn’t nearly as good as Grady’s or for as long.
Even still, $12M for a 2.1 WAR player is definitely worth it, even if that 2.1 comes from 90 games.
I think he is a better fit on a team with higher payroll capacity, someone who can risk that kind of payroll space on a high-upside guy who stands a good chance of not playing much. Dodgers (who have signed such guys), Cubs (if they trade players for a controllable starter), Rangers or Angels (if they again focus on one-year signings), Red Sox (if they don’t make a splashier, longer-term addition), Phillies, etc.
That being said, keeping him for 1B/DH could be a way of replacing Santana and Bruce if they have robust markets, and doing so might help him stay healthy and productive.
Way too many variables right now to make a definitive conclusion on what to do.
Yes, but they have roughly one week from today as a deadline. They need to make this decision first which will then alter their approach all around to pieces like Santana, Bruce etc…
And of course just as I post that I see reports the Tribe will extend offers to Santana, Brantley and Tomlin. I know Tomlin’s offer is cheap, but they should let him walk and open up a slot for one of the youngsters..
Francona loves his ‘Lil Cowboy.
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Michael Brantley was one of the top players for the Tribe before recent injuries…he was in the top five for league MVP in 2015 and he has worked tirelessly to return despite his recent problems….he and all Tribe fans deserve a chance to get him back as the player he can be…with the Tribe…..Definitely pick up his option.
Even if they don’t want Brantley, they should still pick up his option and trade him. Alot of teams would want Brantley at that price.
Teams wouldn’t give up too much for a player constantly hurt unless there’s contingencies in place. Makes no sense to resign a guy and then trade him and eating some of the contract to do it.
Teams do every year, They wouldn’t have to eat more then the buyout. At least one team will think Brantley on a one year deal at that price is a good deal. While they probably won’t get much they will get something.
I don’t see it and think if he hit the open market he’d make much less than you think and would probably be a one year prove it type deal before somebody pays him over a longer term deal.
Perfect fit for the Mets. Good talent, position of need, and always hurt. Perfect!