Fansided

Which AL contender needs Daniel Murphy the most?

By Joshua Sadlock

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 15: Daniel Murphy #20 of the Washington Nationals looks on after hitting a two run single against the New York Mets in the seventh inning during their game at Citi Field on July 15, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 15: Daniel Murphy #20 of the Washington Nationals looks on after hitting a two run single against the New York Mets in the seventh inning during their game at Citi Field on July 15, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – AUGUST 05: Jason Kipnis #22 of the Cleveland Indians plays defense at second base during a game against the Los Angeles Angels at Progressive Field on August 5, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians won 4-3. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – AUGUST 05: Jason Kipnis #22 of the Cleveland Indians plays defense at second base during a game against the Los Angeles Angels at Progressive Field on August 5, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians won 4-3. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

3. Cleveland Indians

Led by MVP candidates Jose Ramirez and Francisco Lindor, the Indians have rolled over the weak AL Central with one of the better offenses in the American League. They are third in the AL in runs and OPS and have had the division crown sewed up for months. That is not to say the Tribe does not have some very obvious weaknesses in their lineup that will be exploited come October when the competition heats up.

Outfield is the biggest weakness for Cleveland, where a resurgent Michael Brantley has been the only consistent weapon. Second baseman Jason Kipnis is also laboring through a miserable season, DH Edwin Encarnacion has been on the DL and has not been much more than an average hitter this year, while first baseman Yonder Alonso has been below average despite a continuation of last year’s power surge.

Daniel Murphy is by no means an outfielder, but he can play first base, second base and DH. Of the three players mentioned in the previous paragraph, Encarnacion’s job is the safest provided he can get and stay healthy. Kipnis has been the worst of the bunch, but is still solid defensively. The problem with Murphy for the Indians is that he is a massive liability in the field.

By his offensive merits alone, Murphy is a great fit for the Indians, but there are questions about where he would play. Taking Alonso or Encarnacion out of the lineup hurts more than sending Kipnis to the bench. If the Indians decide to make a run at Murphy, their best bet is to hope that he can hold up for seven innings a night at second base before yielding to Kipnis for the final defensive stand.

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