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December 10, 2015Nashville, Tennessee is home to the Grand Ole Opry and the 2015 MLB Winter Meetings. There have been plenty of rumors flying around, some of which have included the Cleveland Indians. That trend continued on Wednesday, when Indians beat reporter for cleveland.com Paul Hoynes said that the Indians have shown interest in former Baltimore Oriole and current free agent 1B/OF/DH Steve Pearce.
The journeyman, who is entering his 10th MLB season, has played for Pittsburgh (five years), Batimore (four years), New York Yankees (one year), and Houston (one year). Following a career year in 2014 that included 26 doubles, 21 home runs, 49 RBIs, five stolen bases, a .293 batting average, .373 on-base percentage, and .930 OPS in 102 games, Pearce had one of the worst seasons in his career in 2015. Last season he had just a .218 average, 13 doubles, 15 home runs, 40 RBIs, .289 on-base percentage, and .711 OPS in 92 games.
Although he had a career year in 2014, that could have clearly been an outlier, considering his career numbers average just a .247 average, .325 on-base percentage, and .756 OPS in his nine seasons in the MLB.
He has played just one game at Progressive Field in his career. In that game, he was 1-for-3, with one strikeout and also grounded into a double play. For the other ballparks in the AL Central, Pearce has fared well, with a .571 average at Chicago (4-for-7), .200 at Detroit (1-for-5), .364 at Kansas City (4-for-11), and .200 at Minnesota (1-for-5).
Obviously, the Indians are in search and in need of a right-handed stick with power. With 36 home runs the last two seasons, the 5-foot-11, 200-pound outfielder and first baseman could bring some of the needed power. Since he is a free agent, they would not have to trade anyone to get him either, which is a definite plus.
Back in early November, WFNY’s own Jacob Rosen highlighted Pearce in his “Qualifying offers and a Cleveland Indians free agency primer” piece.
A 32-year-old part-time slugger, he had a sensational 2014 season for the Baltimore Orioles. He batted .293/.373/.556 with 26 doubles and 21 homers, but that wild production dwarves his career numbers of only .247/.325/.431. He’s a right-handed bat and has played mostly at first base and the corner outfield positions. But again, his position would seem to mirror the role of Chris Johnson for the Tribe and he’d likely be over-stretched in an everyday role.
3 Comments
If nothing of substance can be done I wouldn’t mind someone like Pearce being signed. It runs counter to my normal way of thinking but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that the Indians won’t be making any kind of splash. I really liked the idea of adding Todd Frazier but I think the asking price is a little high. So for these reasons if the Indians can bring in some journeyman who won’t require a lot of $$ while keeping all of their prospects I say might as well.
Stephen Pearce will be a great pickup by the Seattle Mariners to backup Adam Lind. Indians should also look into going after Chris Davis if the team can afford him as a cornerstone to the team. Otherwise, go after David Freese if he can play first base or move Chris Johnson or Chisenhall to first base.
Thanks for reading and the comment.
Chris Davis is outside the scope of the Indians budget. Chris Johnson has played some first base for the team, but Carlos Santana is a better defender and hitter than him. Chisenhall found his MLB home as a right field defender last season.
David Freese would be a great pickup for the Indians, but I think they would leave him at third base.