The Indians Have Been Busy, But What Direction Do They Go Next to Fill the Voids on the Roster?

The Indians have purged their roster of a lot of players and money thus far this offseason, looking to shed payroll but also looking to build on the fly as they

The Indians have purged their roster of a lot of players and money thus far this offseason, looking to shed payroll but also looking to build on the fly as they look for a fourth straight AL Central Title in 2019.

The team has yet to fill the voids they have in the outfield, as well as the bullpen, but now at least have saved themselves $21 million off their payroll, but some of that money will have to go back into the team to build a roster that can compete in the American League.

Indians President Chris Antonetti said Saturday following the deal to trade Yonder Alonso to the White Sox that they will look to be creative in getting the roster up to speed.

“There are a couple of ways to do that," Antonetti said. "One is to infuse young, controllable talent into the organization. The second element of that is to manage our finances. We feel like the series of moves we’ve made up to this point advance both of those goals.”

There's work to do, and today we give a couple solutions as to what the team might look to do as they close the chapter on some veteran players and look to bring in some players that might fit the budget and help for the 2019 (and beyond) season.

1. Still Look to Put JRam at Second

The Indians have an interesting infield situation brewing now that they are (in some ways) back to square one with Jose Ramirez at third and Jason Kipnis (for the moment) at second.

It's sounding like the team is going to give a very long look to one of their top prospects, Yu Chang, and if he has a huge spring in Arizona, he could find himself in the mix to start the season at third base.

Doing this allows Ramriez to move to second, and gives the team at least one player in the outfield that being Kipnis.

Chang hit .256 with 13 homers last season in AAA Columbus, and the 6th ranked prospect on the team is expected to be seasoned enough for a 2019 call-up.

As far as free agents to come in and play third, it's ugly. Mike Moustakas who with Milwaukee last year hit .256 with eight homers is out there, as well as Daniel Descalso, who in Arizona hit .238 with 13 homers and 57 RBI in 2018.

A report says that the Cubs have interest in Descalso, so that might not even be an option IF the Indians were even thinking about it (and there's been no word that they were).

For now, it just feels like it's going to be Chang or nothing if Ramirez isn't starting the season at third base.

2. Sign an Outfielder

There's still a number of good options through free agency for the outfield, but again as Chris Antonetti pointed out, it all comes down to dollars and cents to make sense for the team.

Right now on the MLB roster you have Greg Allen, Tyler Naquin, Leonys Martin, Jordan Luplow and Jason Kipnis. That's about it.

Jake Bauers, who the team got from the Rays last Thursday, could play outfield if needed as well. You would think with no top OF prospects that the team would look at the free agents that could be affordable to fill a void in the outfield.

Among those players out there? Abraham Almonte, Gregor Blanco, Melky Cabrera, Carlos Gomez, Carlos Gonzalez, Marwin Gonzalez, Curtis Granderson, Adam Jones, Nick Markakis and (likely way out of the Indians price range) A.J. Pollock.

The type of player who the Indians could likely afford is more like Melky Cabrera (who did play well in the second half of last season for the Tribe), or even a Carlos Gomez, who last year hit just .208 with 9 homers and 32 RBI.

It's not going to be pretty and the fans are not going to like how the outfield looks come opening day, that is unless number three happens.

3. Still Move Kluber

I know, this isn't probably going to go over very well with those that think the team needs five all-star type starters to win, but by trading Corey Kluber now, the team can quickly replenish at least some of the positions of need on this roster.

There's still going to be chatter among the Indians and other teams about Kluber and Trevor Bauer, but moving Kluber now with his salary as well as the fact he is coming off a season in which he was back in the hunt for a Cy Young makes more sense.

The Indians can very much compete with a starting four of Carlos Carrasco, Bauer, Mike Clevinger and Shane Bieber, and you can easily throw in Adam Plutko or maybe a motivated Danny (if he stays healthy) Salazar at the five spot.

The Tribe isn't going to move Kluber unless they get a massive return, which could include a starter in the outfield, a relief or starting pitcher (or both) and a top prospect.

With the fiscal situation as it stands, this is by far still the best option to stay strong and get better on the fly. Yes losing Kluber will hurt the starting rotation, but if money and saving it is the biggest goal, this is the best way to do it.