What Could Be On the Indians Shopping List?

What do you get for the person who has everything?

The Indians obviously don’t really have everything. The Cubs might, but if you could buy the Indians health, clearly that would be the most coveted gift for any team. Short of being able to assure that aspect for Michael Brantley and Danny Salazar next season, the first thing on the Indians shopping list this off-season needs to be to continue to improve depth.

There’s no bigger example of the Indians depth concerns than Michael Martinez taking the last at bat of the season in Game 7 of the World Series. He only had to bat because he was a late defensive replacement for Coco Crisp because of his arm. This gave the Indians an outfielder who hit a little but couldn’t throw and a player who could throw but couldn’t hit. With this in mind, they’ll look for quality depth like any other team. But who would fit that bill on the free agent market?

If you’re expecting the Indians to shop in the neighborhood of Edwin Encarnacion or Yoenis Cespedes, you probably think you can show up at Best Buy on Black Friday at noon and score a big deal.

If the Indians want to improve their bench there are reasonable targets.

Utility player free agents

Sean Rodriguez: Plays first base, second base and shortstop reasonably well. Plays third base OK and some outfield. Had a career high 18 homers last year despite a higher than normal BABIP. He’s not as good defensively and doesn’t run as well as Michael Martinez, but his 2017 Steamer projected 92 wRC+ is much better than Martinez’s 50.

Luis Valbuena: Only plays first and third base but isn’t as good at third base now. He has a better track record of power than Rodriguez but plays less positions. He can’t and probably won’t play the outfield, like his horrific past in Cleveland either. He could be a contingency plan at first base for Mike Napoli and could at least spell Jose Ramirez a bit.

Steve Pearce: The Indians were linked to Pearce at the trade deadline, but he went back to Baltimore and got hurt and the Indians got Brandon Guyer. Pearce hammers lefties and hit righties better last year even. He played mostly first base, but did well at second, OK at third and in the outfield. He would make the Indians a little right handed heavy but if he’s healthy, he’s got enough bat and defensive versatility off the bench to be worth a shot.

Stephen Drew: Drew can no longer play shortstop and can’t hit against lefties, but he did well against right handers and did OK at second base and third base. He’s another cheaper option who is capable of filling a veteran, utility role.

Others: Erick Aybar, Daniel Descalso

First base free agents

Matt Holliday: An injury and BABIP plagued season hurt Holliday’s value but Steamer likes his career low .253 BABIP to normalize and his move to first base went well. Couple that with the chance to DH should keep him healthier as well. He’s hit 20 homers ever year since 2006 and has a reputation as a great clubhouse presence. The Indians might be able to get him below market value in case Napoli heads for greener pastures and they could cash in again.

Others: Adam Lind

Outfield free agents

Michael Saunders: Saunders isn’t much of an outfielder and might be out of the Indians price range, but he’s only 29 and coming off a good season. Steamer has him dropping off a bit next year but as a contingency for Brantley’s shoulder and maybe DH, he wouldn’t be extremely expensive, but the market might be crazy, so who knows.

Jon Jay: A high BABIP fueled his 100 wRC+ and his defense was hardly average. The Indians were linked to him last trade deadline before he got hurt and between Brantley, Tyler Naquin, Abraham Almonte, Lonnie Chisenhall and Guyer, the Indians outfield looks crowded. Another lefty may not make sense but they’ve been linked to him before. The Indians might be better served to resign Rajai Davis as a reserve.

Others: Davis, Angel Pagan, Matt Joyce

Relief pitching free agents

Daniel Hudson: Hudson’s 5.22 ERA was fueled by an awful Arizona defense. His 3.81 FIP was higher than last year but his fastball is just a notch below 96 and his 8.65 K/9 is solid. The Indians could use Brett Cecil, Brad Ziegler or Boone Logan to hedge their bets against some wear and tear on Cody Allen, Andrew Miller and Bryan Shaw, but because of what those three will make in 2017, it’s doubtful any significant names will be added. The Indians have a decent reputation for improving relievers and injured pitchers, so if they can get him for what Sportrac says (~ $3.5 million), he could help the bullpen.

Others: Luke Hochevar, Jerry Blevins, David Hernandez

Utility trade targets

Derek Dietrich: Dietrich might not have a place to play in Miami but they are looking for young, controllable pitching – which the Indians have but are unwilling to part with. Dietrich is left handed, 27 and a Cleveland native. He plays second base well and first base well. He can play third base and the outfield a bit as well and has power. Given his age, control and versatility, the asking price might be high but the Indians are a match if they pay up.

Yangervis Solarte: Solarte is 29, under control through 2020, had a career year in 2016 and can play third base, second base and first base well. There was some buzz about the Indians interest in him and he could allow the Indians to move around Jose Ramirez but he won’t come cheap given his age, contract and versatility.

Cesar Hernandez: Hernandez plays shortstop and second base pretty well but could be the odd man out with JP Crawford and Howie Kendrick on their way. Hernandez is 26, has speed and had a career year in 2016, so he won’t come cheap either. But if the Indians want someone with speed who can hit a little and play the middle infield, he is under control until 2021.

Reliever pitching trades are harder to predict and who knows what outfielders might be on the market. The Indians could try to revisit interest in pitchers like Sean Doolittle, Ryan Buchter, Jeanmar Gomez, Hector Neris or someone else. Charlie Blackmon might be on the block and there is always the AJ Pollock route. But the Indians have options on the free agent market for utility players, as well as the trade market.