Dec. 23: Freeman accepted his assignment and will be a non-roster invitee to Major League Spring Training in 2020, the Indians announced Monday morning.
Dec. 20: The Indians have outrighted utility player Mike Freeman to Triple-A Columbus, Paul Hoynes of cleveland.com reports. The club previously designated Freeman for assignment last weekend when it traded right-hander Corey Kluber to Texas for reliever Emmanuel Clase and outfielder Delino DeShields.
Because the 32-year-old Freeman has been outrighted in the past, he has the right to reject the Indians’ assignment to Columbus in favor of free agency. They’ll know his fate by Sunday, Hoynes notes.
Although the Indians booted Freeman from their 40-man roster, he’s actually coming off a respectable season. Freeman amassed a personal-high 213 plate appearances in 2019 and slashed a playable .277/.362/.390 (good for a nearly league-average 99 wRC+), though he did benefit from an unsustainable .388 batting average on balls in play. Defensively, Freeman saw action at three infield positions – second, third and short – as well as left field. Freeman even pitched two innings for the team.
Considering his decent 2019 showing, it’s possible Freeman will return to the open market a little over a year after the Indians signed him to a minor league contract. Before joining the Cleveland organization, Freeman received big league at-bats with the Diamondbacks (who chose him in the 11th round of the 2010 draft), Mariners, Cubs and Dodgers. He’s a lifetime .232/.316/.332 hitter across 304 PA in the majors and a .305/.372/.418 batter in 2,030 attempts in Triple-A ball.
Freeman could be a free man soon. Can’t blame him if he tries the open market. The Tribe does not seem like it is rising to the top anytime soon.
I heard he has already joined his local Free Masons
Awesome!
predictions on CLE’s opening day 2B/3B starter not named J-Ram?
They’ll sign one of the 87 free agent 2B’s that are going to have to take less money because the demand in no way matches the supply?
Wouldn’t be surprised to see Kipnis back at a lower salary.
Oh God no!!! I wouldn’t even bring Kip back at league minimum. His defense has declined significantly over the past 5 years, you can never predict what kind of offense he’ll provide, and his injury history is notorious. I’d cast my lot with Scooter Gennett if anyone.
Gavin Lux
YIKES no chance
Cesar Hernandez
on to the Cubs or Angels
Already did the Cubs, Angels turn
“…….. though he did benefit from an unsustainable .388 batting average on balls in play.”
Why is it unsustainable? Why is this same line always stated about BABIP, like a broken record?
Hell, he might do even better. Anyone ever consider that?
Truth is, that is a pretty high BABIP, and while I don’t have numbers in front of me, it’s probably an outlier from his previous years, hence the “unsustainability.”
One thing to watch for is Carlos Santana next year. After a career low of .231 BABIP in Philadelphia in 2018, he had a nearly career high in BABIP–.293–last year. His career BABIP is .268 (pretty low for a good hitter) so one might expect Carlos to take a step back next year. Unless, of course, he continues to do a better job of going with pitches rather than trying to kill everything by pulling them. Something to watch.
I’d like to see Freeman back on the Tribe bench if he doesn’t find a better deal, notwithstanding last year’s BABIP.
BABIP is less the indicator than it used to be. With the advent of the super ball and launch angle theology, IF defense has gone the way of the Hula Hoop. You can practically roll the ball through any AL East infield, for instance. That’s why that for all the shifting, league wide BABIP has remained relatively consistent.
BABIP is still somewhat useful, but just in a limited sense.
Oh gee idk .60 points above his career average. 30 points above MVP’s like Mike Trout, Yelich. It’s just a mystery. And Bob, stop. Just give that one a rest. No player consistently carries a BABIP around .400. Go look for one, please.
Sounds like they are trying to free up a roster spot
They DFA’d him after acquiring Clase and DeShields.
u think
Go Cubs Go
Nick Senzel…
I am not a number!
Freeman had a very good season in his role, hopefully for him he cashes in with a decent deal and team.
Solid, versatile reserve player. With the active rosters expanding by one, he makes the perfect #26.
I looked out right out my window and I am glad that he chose not to be a free man. Now he should have a window of opportunity with the Tribe.
Seems he accepted the AAA assignment and will head to ST with the Tribe.