Cleveland Indians Don’t Need to Add Another Outfielder

The Cleveland Indians Don’t Need to Add Another Outfielder

It probably seems like a silly question to most Tribe fans: Do the Cleveland Indians still need to add another outfielder? The answer most would say scream is “Yes! Of course the Indians need another outfielder.”  It’s not hard to see why that would be the consensus answer given who the Indians appear ready to trot out in the outfield should the season start today. However, I disagree with the notion that the Indians need another outfielder. In fact, I think they’d be more than fine if they stood pat and entered the season with their current crop of outfielders.  Crazy? Maybe, but here’s why the Indians don’t need another outfielder…

Effective Platoons Can Produce All-Star Results

Most fans will likely cringe at the word “platoon” and frankly I can’t blame them. Many probably still remember the ill-fated David Dellucci–Jason Michaels platoon from 2007. And more recently there was the David Murphy–Ryan Raburn platoon in right field in 2014 that also left much to be desired. However, platoons, if used properly, can still be very effective. The Oakland Athletics have used platoons very successfully in recent years, most notably with Derek Norris and John Jaso behind the plate. In 2014 for example, both had very respectable batting lines of .265/.337/.430 (Jaso) and .270/.361/.403 (Norris).  However, neither player started even half of the A’s games that year behind the plate. Both players were used as part of a very successful platoon. Jaso, the left-handed hitter, hit .272/.344/.449 versus right-handed pitching, while Norris, the right-handed hitter, hit .311/.393/.470 versus left-handed pitching.  Combined,they produced a 4.2 fWAR in 2014 (though not all as catchers). Not too shabby considering in the American league in 2014 only one catcher produced a WAR that high (Yan Gomes had a 4.5 fWAR).

So while many may be turned off by platoons, using them (correctly) can pay huge dividends. Last year, the platoon of Murphy and Raburn actually would have worked if used more at the designated hitter spot.  Raburn was one of the best hitters in baseball against left-handed pitching batting .325 with a 1.004 OPS.  While not nearly that good, Murphy did hit .297 with a .774 OPS versus right-handed pitching with the Tribe. The Indians have several platoon options in the outfield for 2016, and if used properly, can negate the need for any further outfield additions.

Next: Chisenhall and Cowgill in RF