Is The Cleveland Indians' New Right Fielder Already On The Roster?

As was the case a year ago, following the loss of Michael Brantley to free agency, one of the Cleveland Indians' biggest needs continues to be a run-producing outfielder.

During the 2019 season, 11 different players started games in the outfield for Cleveland. The list runs the gamut from A (Greg Allen) to Z (Bradley Zimmer). From players who no longer are in the organization (Carlos Gonzalez and Leonys Martin), to players who were former No.1 picks by the Indians (Tyler Naquin and Zimmer), to players acquired in a trade (Yasiel Puig, Oscar Mercado, Jordan Luplow, Jake Bauers), to a player who isn't even technically an outfielder but still played out there (Mike Freeman).

As the off-season begins, the Indians' need for a run-producing outfielder still exists, especially with Puig expected to leave via free agency.

In 2019, all the Indians' outfielders combined hit just eight more home runs (61) than Mets rookie Pete Alonso. Cleveland's 61 home runs by their outfielders ranked 23 ^rd in the majors and 12 ^th in the American League. Indians outfielders also ranked 26 ^th in the majors and 12 ^th in the American League in RBI.

So a need that existed at the start of the 2019 season - a run-producing outfielder - still exists following the 2019 season.

Or does it?

The wildcard in this discussion is hulking (6-5, 275 pounds) Franmil Reyes, who Indians officials hope to turn into a serviceable major league outfielder in 2020.

"Serviceable" will suffice, because of Reyes' booming bat. Acquired at mid-season from San Diego as part of a three-team trade, Reyes, in his first full season in the majors, was used almost exclusively as a designated hitter in Cleveland. In 173 at bats for the Indians Reyes hit 10 home runs with 35 RBI, a .468 slugging percentage and .772 OPS.

With the Padres, Reyes played right field, and his numbers for the season between San Diego and Cleveland are exactly what the Indians are looking for in an outfielder. In a combined 494 at bats, Reyes belted 37 home runs, with 81 RBI, a .512 slugging percentage and .822 OPS.

It's for that reason that the Indians may already have a slugging outfielder on their roster for 2020. Offensively, anyway. The hard part will be turning Reyes into a serviceable right fielder defensively.

"We don't want him to be our everyday DH," said Manager Terry Francona. "We also have to put guys (in the outfield) that can defend. Guys that can not only help us defensively, but not get hurt."

With San Diego in 2019 Reyes started 83 games in right field, where he committed five errors and had a shaky -1.5 defensive WAR. In three late-season starts in right field for the Indians Reyes had a -0.4 defensive WAR.

So there's some work to be done to turn the big man into an everyday right fielder in the major leagues. The conversion of Reyes into a fulltime outfielder has already begun, and it will continue through spring training next year.

"Getting his body in the kind of shape so he can play the outfield is a priority," Francona said. "He wants to get lighter, but we also want him to maintain his strength, his durability and flexibility."

Indians officials aren't expecting to turn Reyes into Roberto Clemente as a right fielder. But they would like for him to be able to handle the position well enough so he can hold his own out there defensively, while bringing some much-needed power to the outfield.

"In the outfield, I don't think he's going to be the fleetest afoot. He's a big man," Francona said. "But if you're consistent and you make the average play, you don't hurt your ballclub out there. Sometimes that's good enough. Because guys that hit 40 home runs don't grow on trees."

Indeed, Reyes' 37 home runs between Cleveland and San Diego last year were more than any Indians player hit, and 22 more than any Indians outfielder hit. The last time an Indians right fielder hit as many as 37 home runs was 2000, when Manny Ramirez hit 38.