Should Cleveland Indians Trade for Andrew McCutchen?

The Cleveland Indians entered the offseason with concerns at two positions, first baseman and center field.

The signing of Edwin Encarnacion erases the concerns at first base. Encarnacion and Carlos Santana can rotate between first base and designated hitter.

So what about the leader of the outfield? Tyler Naquin and Rajai Davis plugged the hole for the 2016 season and the run to the American League pennant. Naquin became exposed in the postseason both defensively and at the plate.

Davis provided not only the best moment for the Indians in 2016, but in all of Major League Baseball with the game tieing two run homer off Aroldis Chapman in game seven of the World Series.

Tom Hamilton radio call of Rajai Davis home run as shown on @fox8news. pic.twitter.com/H7UOPHs1BJ

— Dellavedova Facts (@DellyFact) November 3, 2016

The moment will last forever, but Davis’ time in an Indians uniform will not. Tuesday evening Davis agreed to a one year deal with the Oakland Athletics.

Can Naquin handle the responsibility as the outfield captain on a full time basis? It’s hard for me to answer yes to that question. Let’s also consider the health of Michael Brantley? Is his shoulder completely healed and can he play more than eleven games than in 2016?

The Indians time to make a run at another trip to the World Series is now. The Encarnacion deal is an example of that. Terry Francona, Chris Antonetti and the front office can’t sit back and relax until Spring Training arrives though.

The answer to the centerfield concerns is not far away. He’s not down in Columbus, but in Pittsburgh instead, Andrew McCutchen.

The former National League Most Valuable Player was one of the hottest names on the trading block at Major League Baseball’s winter meetings last month in Washington D.C.

Many experts thought the Nation’s capitol would be the new home for McCutchen. That didn’t happen as the Nationals settled for Adam Eaton instead.

Can McCutchen continue his career in the steel city after all of the trade talk? Sure, but how will it impact both him and the Pirates organization going forward? Will it be a distraction from the day Spring Training camp opens up for the Pirates in Bradenton, Florida next month?

McCutchen had a disappointing 2016 season. McCutchen hit only .256 with 24 home runs and 79 runs batted in. The batting average was the lowest in his eight year Major League career.

McCutchen’s career numbers are very impressive. He’s a lifetime .292 hitter with 175 home runs, 637 runs batted in, 160 stolen bases and 1,304 career hits.

McCutchen would fill the void left with the departure of Davis. He’s a right handed batter who possesses power at the plate and speed in the outfield and on the bases.

Let’s include a Most Valuable Player award in 2013, a gold glove award, five All-Star game appearances and four silver slugger awards.

Most important, McCutchen is 30 years old, six years younger than Davis. McCutchen will also fit well in the Indians clubhouse and take the role that Mike Napoli had last season.

There is talk in Pittsburgh that the Pirates may move McCutchen to one of the corner outfield positions and move Starling Marte to centerfield.

The price would be pretty high to trade for McCutchen. Naquin might have to be included in a package deal. Some young starting and relief pitching may have to go to Pittsburgh. The young catching prospect Francisco Mejia fresh off his 50 game hitting streak for the Lake County Captains may be included as well.

If you want something you have to pay for it. The price and the time might just be right to bring in a veteran with the resume of McCutchen and see what happens this season.