Cleveland Indians: The best moves would be no moves till after Spring Training

While still linked to players like David Freese and Juan Uribe, the Cleveland Indians would be served best to wait till after Spring Training to make any more additions.

The Cleveland Indians would still like to add some offense to this year’s team but there are a few issues with that. First, all of the above-average talent is out of the Tribe’s price range. The ones they can afford are minimal upgrades at best, and even that can be questioned. So what’s the best plan? Wait it out till Spring Training.

The idea of trying to wait out some of the remaining free agents on the market isn’t a new idea. With each passing day that they don’t get the amount of money or the number of years they were looking for, they may be more willing to settle. And that’s what Cleveland wants players to do. To settle with signing in Cleveland. It’s a savvy move in theory but rarely works in its application.

So as players arrive in Spring Training, many are there as non-roster invitee’s and aren’t going to make their respected clubs and will be looking to catch on with another. That could be the opportunity for the Indians to pick someone up on a team friendly deal.

It’s not as if the Indians are headed into Spring Training with a terrible club and are hoping to pick up scraps to make it a competitive team. They simply need to add some offense–at least some depth–should the players that are being counted on fail to come through. The biggest concerns will be in the outfield–especially until Michael Brantley returns–and at third base. I think most people believe that Giovanny Urshela can eventually lock down the job, but while his defense has been superb, his time at the plate has not.

Until Brantley’s return, two of the three outfield spots leave a lot to be desired. Abraham Almonte and Lonnie Chisenhall had small samples of success, but Chisenhall is likely on his last chance while Almonte is really an unknown as to what to expect. Rajai Davis just needs to NOT be Michael Bourn 2.0 and we’ll be fine.

Next: Kipnis to the outfield?

At this point, and decision the Indians’ front office would make as to signing a player would likely be a poor one unless something amazing presented itself. So the best move–while maybe difficult to stomach–is to stand pat and wait to see who becomes available through camp. It might only take one lucky break to get the bat the Indians need.