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Earlier this week, I noted that Michael Brantley‘s early-season absence could be a major issue when it comes to the Cleveland Indians getting off to a good start. Thanks to today’s news, this fact has been made even more apparent.
It was announced today Indians center fielder Abraham Almonte tested positive for Boldenone, a performance-enhancing drug. As a result, he was given an 80-game suspension. While he wasn’t considered a key player for Cleveland, he was a solid midseason addition to the team last year, and someone the front office was looking forward to seeing more of this season.
Abraham Almonte has been suspended for 80 games.
We’ve issued the following statement on the subject: pic.twitter.com/mmgAUEWU0s
— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) February 26, 2016
Now, Almonte won’t be seen in an Indians uniform until midsummer.
So, that shaky outfield I was talking about provided Brantley is still out? Yeah, it just got a lot worse. There is, however, a way to fix this situation, but it’s going to cost a typically stingy front office a good chunk of cash.
At this point, though, the Indians don’t have much of a choice. Almonte’s suspension should push Cleveland to sign free agent Austin Jackson as soon as it can.
Again, Almonte wasn’t someone who could make-or-break Cleveland’s season. He played well enough to make him someone to keep an eye on this season, but he’s not on the same level of Brantley, Jason Kipnis or Francisco Lindor in terms of importance to the team.
At the same time, with him gone and Brantley still recovering from shoulder surgery, the Indians’ outfield is not an inspiring place right now.
If Brantley is still out, the only legit outfielder on the team is Rajai Davis. Lonnie Chisenhall switched from third base to right field last season, and the team’s latest signing – Will Venable – is just OK. The Indians could call up someone like Tyler Naquin from the minors, but he’s yet to really prove he’s ready for the big leagues.
So, with limited options, wouldn’t it be worth it for Cleveland to make a play for Jackson?
The 29-year-old has seen better seasons than what he put forth last year with the Seattle Mariners and Chicago Cubs. At the same time, he’s a more talented option than what the Indians currently have. He’s also in the middle of his prime, and with limited depth in the outfield as is, the Indians could sign him for a two or three-year contract and have a solid option at center field for the near future.
The issue, and quite frankly the reason why Jackson is still a free agent, is money.
Jackson reportedly recently turned down a one-year, $6 million offer from the Los Angeles Angels, and some insiders claim he’s looking for something around the range of $12 million a year. As anyone who follows the Indians knows, high price tags like this are typically ignored in Cleveland.
However, things change when you’re in a position of need. In losing Almonte and potentially missing Brantley for the first chunk of the season, the Indians are looking very shallow in the outfield. A team that is expected to contend this year, Cleveland can hardly afford another slump-filled April.
The hope, then, is that the Indians heard the news of Almonte’s suspension and immediately started gauging interest with Jackson. Though he wouldn’t be a superstar signing, and he wouldn’t be cheap, Cleveland is in a bit of a desperate situation. And, as they say, desperate times call for desperate measures.
In this case, the desperate measure is opening the checkbook for Jackson.
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