Michael Brantley Unlikely To Return To Cleveland
6 years agoCleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley, who hit .309 (.832 OPS) with 17 homers and 76 RBI this year, is a pending free agent. The Indians must decide if they'll extend an $18 million qualifying offer. There are whispers that he might get a three-year deal in the $45 million range on the open market, so he's unlikely to be re-signed by the Indians for multiple seasons. The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Terry Pluto guesses that the Tribe would move Jason Kipnis to left field if Brantley goes elsewhere. However, the Indians could also try to trade Kipnis, who is due $14.7 million in 2019. He has a $2.5 million buyout in 2020. Brantley finally stayed healthy and contributed across the board for fantasy owners. He doesn't have a ton of power but is a nice fourth outfielder if he doesn't get hurt again. It'll be hard to top the potent lineup in Cleveland, though, if he goes to another team.
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Terry Pluto
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Terry Pluto