Cleveland Indians to strengthen their offence – MLB News
The Cleveland Indians’ general manager Chris Antonetti stated on Thursday, December 15, that the club is looking for different avenues to improve the team’s offence. The search, of course, will be from the trade markets as the club needs to fortify their
defence and toughen the offence.
There were suggestions lately that the team may even look for in-house intake for the team, declining to opt for alternatives from the markets. But Antonetti dismissed that suggestion for now, saying the club is weighing all options.
Of particular interest for the Cleveland Indians lately was the outfielder Josh Willingham. The team intended to sign a contract with him, spanning two years. But as it eventually turned out, with the player intent upon having a deal of three years, it was
Minnesota Twins which finally signed him for three years for a reported contract of $21 million.
Willingham was to be an added advantage for the Cleveland Indians as he had no less than 98 RBIs this past season with 29 home-runs to his credit.
With such eventuality coming into pass, the Cleveland Indians, like suggested earlier, would go for in-house contract instead of looking for alternatives. Nonetheless, Antonetti says that is not the point where the team has reached yet.
"I don't think we've reached that point yet," Antonetti said on Thursday afternoon. "There are players potentially available, potential fits available both on the free agent and trade markets that we feel would improve our team. Now, whether or not we're
able to find the right value and align on that value, that's to be determined."
"We have some flexibility," Antonetti said.
But the recent developments have also led to some frustration within the fan club of the team. The fact that Cleveland Indians have failed to bring big names in the roster is not something that bespeaks well.
In the offence, for example, the team has seven left-handed hitters and there is a growing need for a strong right-handed hitter, something that will surely occupy the team’s focus in the days to come.
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