Michael Brantley Archives | Baseball Essential

The Houston Astros Should Sign Jackie Bradley Jr.

Jan 28, 2021

Houston Astros, Major League Baseball, Offseason, Opinions & Predictions

The Houston Astros need another outfielder, and an ideal option exists for them on the free agent market: Jackie Bradley Jr. Two expensive signings relative to the Astros have taken place this offseason: the...

Houston Astros: is George Springer or Michael Brantley the Better Value?

Robbie Stratakos

Dec 15, 2020

Houston Astros, Major League Baseball, Offseason, Opinions & Predictions

Houston Astros outfielders George Springer and Michael Brantley are two of the more high-profile players on the Major League Baseball free agent market this offseason. Springer, 31, will likely command a long-t...

Michael Brantley Has Been Found Gold for the Houston Astros

Tom Dorsa

May 9, 2019

Houston Astros, Opinions & Predictions

Over the past few seasons, it has been easy to forget just how valuable Michael Brantley, a finalist for the 2014 American League Most Valuable Player Award, can be to a contending team. And early in the 2019 M...

Astros Sign Michael Brantley to Two-Year Deal

Jason Kelly

Dec 18, 2018

Contract, Headlines, Houston Astros, Transactions

The Houston Astros snagged one of the best hitters available on the free agent market Monday night as they have reached an agreement with former Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley on a two-year contr...

Positional Power Rankings: Left Field

Chad Stewart

Dec 19, 2016

Features, Major League Baseball, Opinions & Predictions

Historically, teams have commonly used left field to hide their defensively challenged power hitters because it is seen as one of the least taxing positions in the sport. And while that is still often the case ...

Indians have the pitching, but are they wasting it?

Brandon Shrider

Feb 3, 2016

Cleveland Indians, Features, Major League Baseball, Offseason, Opinions & Predictions

Cleveland sports leave fans shaking their heads in disgust plenty more often than waving their arms in jubilation. Financial limitations often force sporadic success, and routine letdowns have become the city's...

Five Tough Questions for the Cleveland Indians in 2016

Brandon Shrider

Jan 13, 2016

Cleveland Indians, Features, Headlines, Major League Baseball, Offseason, Opinions & Predictions

Source: Jason Miller / Getty Images North America The Cleveland Indians are coming off their third consecutive .500-or-better season, but have seen its win total dip from 92 in 2013, to 85 in 2014 to then 8...

Offseason Grades: Cleveland Indians

John Kocsis

Jan 12, 2016

American League, American League Central, Cleveland Indians, Major League Baseball, Offseason

Credit: Jason Miller / Getty Images After a second half turnaround and an 81-80 finish for the Cleveland Indians, the Tribe missed the postseason by 4.5 games in 2015. Entering the offseason, the Indians ha...

Report: Indians pursuing Shane Victorino

Brandon Shrider

Dec 7, 2015

Cleveland Indians, Headlines, Offseason, Rumors

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Cleveland Indians are "showing interest in free agent OF Shane Victorino." The #Indians are showing interest in free agent OF Shane Victorino — Bob Nightengale...

Cleveland Indians Offseason Wish List

Jamey Vinnick

Nov 9, 2015

American League, Cleveland Indians, Headlines, Major League Baseball

It was a disappointing season for the Cleveland Indians in 2015. Despite an 81-80 record, the Indians failed to live up to expectations coming off an 85-77 record in 2014 and a playoff appearance in 2013. The I...

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