Cleveland Indians Add Will Venable to Outfield Mix

The Cleveland Indians Add Venable to Outfield Mix

The Cleveland Indians have added yet another outfielder on a minor league deal, agreeing with former San Diego Padre Will Venable today.

Venable will join a host of other outfielders in camp, many of which are on minor league deals, including Michael Choice, Shane Robinson, and Robbie Grossman.  Venable has spent almost all of his career with the Padres before being dealt to the Texas Rangers this past summer. He owns a career .251/.317/.406 batting line across eight big league seasons. He’s capable of playing all three outfield positions and has played all three quite well owning an above average DRS (defensive runs saved) and UZR (Ultimate Zone Rating) at all three outfield spots.

Venable bats left-handed and could potentially be a fit in left field with Michael Brantley still nursing his shoulder injury. He could find playing time against right-handed pitching, perhaps in a platoon with Rajai Davis, as Venable owns a career 107 wRC+ (weighted runs created) versus them.  He also provides some speed on the bases having stolen over 20 bags multiple times and has 27 over the last two seasons.

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The 33-year-old will face competition from the not only other non-roster invitees but also Collin Cowgill, Joey Butler and possibly even Jose Ramirez for playing time and is probably a long shot to make the club. He’s struggled the last two years and at this stage is merely another depth option for the Cleveland Indians in an outfield that’s already been hit by the injury bug. He’s not a guy I’d expect to make the team, but you can never have too much depth. And who knows, maybe Venable can somehow find that swing he had in 2013 when he slugged 22 home runs while playing half his games at Petco Park.