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Cleveland Indians: Michael Brantley talk needs to stop

By James Simmons

Michael Brantley #23 of the Houston Astros reacts after striking out against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fifth inning in Game Two of the American League Championship Series at PETCO Park on October 12, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Michael Brantley #23 of the Houston Astros reacts after striking out against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fifth inning in Game Two of the American League Championship Series at PETCO Park on October 12, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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When the Cleveland Indians moved on from Michael Brantley prior to the 2019 season they made a mistake, and they aren’t about to bring him back.

Michael Brantley was a good player during his ten years with the Cleveland Indians. He was a three time All-Star who hit .295 and played good defense. The Indians allowed him to hit free agency following the 2018 season and he spent two productive years with the Houston Astros. Now he is on the market again, and some suggest he’s headed back to The Forest City.

We need to stop that talk right now.

Brantley made $16M each year he was in Houston and is projected to make somewhere around $14M annually when he signs his next contract. Brantley would love inking another two-year deal, though even if he gets locked up for a year, it’ll be worth more than the Indians want to pay.

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Cleveland has just over $28M guaranteed on the books right now and Francisco Lindor should make around $21M in arbitration. They have actively been shopping him, in his final year before free agency.

The Indians traded Trevor Bauer and Corey Kluber last year, while sending Brad Hand and his $10M contract to the unemployment line this year. The Indians do not want to spend money and are not about to bring back a guy they let walk just two years ago.

Even though Tyler Naquin and Delino DeShields were non-tendered and removed from the 40-man roster, the Indians do not have a need for outfielders. With Franmil Reyes, Oscar Mercado, Jordan Luplow, Josh Naylor, and Bradley Zimmer, all scheduled to get reps in the outfield at some point, the need to bring in Brantley isn’t urgent.

In the middle of a strip down, rebuild, the last thing the Indians want is a veteran presence who makes too much money. The team is not in the position to bring someone of his capabilities in, when they are still deciding who they want to build around. After experiencing team success with the Astros, Brantley isn’t in the mindset to go to a team who does not have a direct path to the postseason.

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This talk of Michael Brantley to Cleveland will not gain traction, so best we just put these hopes to rest right now.

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