Cleveland Indians: Looking at Austin Jackson’s expected value

The Cleveland Indians had great depth in the outfield in 2017, and Austin Jackson was a key part of the equation. Can the team afford him in 2018?

The Cleveland Indians have most of 2017 outfield returning in 2018, including Michael Brantley, who could ultimately move to first base.

The depth in the outfield allows for such a move, but a few key players from the 2017 group may not be back.

We have already covered Jay Bruce‘s chances of returning, but Austin Jackson is another free agent who had a solid year in 2017.

He only appeared in 85 games, but slashed .318/.387/.482 and drove in 35 runs. 2017 was not up there with his best years, but it was a great comeback season after missing much of the 2016 season with a knee injury.

The Indians were able to sign him on a cheap, $1.5 million deal last season because he was coming off that shortened season, but his value has shot up this offseason.

Spotrac has Jackson’s market value listed at three-years, $39.6 million. This is just an estimate and one based off his actual value, but it would be hard to imagine the Indians giving him that kind of deal with the depth already in the organization.

Players like Bradley Zimmer and Greg Allen are expected to hold down a few outfield spots for years to come, while Lonnie Chisenhall, Brandon Guyer, and Abraham Almonte provide some depth right now. Brantley should also be included in that group until any position change is official, which may not even happen in 2018.

Jackson returning won’t make or break the 2018 season, but it would be nice to bring him back to see if he could be even better than he was a year ago. He was never a star player, but he could slot in as nearly an everyday player in the outfield if Brantley isn’t playing in left.

These things always come down to money and as is the case with Carlos Santana and Jay Bruce, the Indians will likely wait to see how the market develops around Jackson.

Next: Analyzing the recent roster decisions

If he is receiving offers close to Spotrac’s projection, then the Indians will likely be out of the running early. But if teams are only offering one or two-year deals, he could be back in an Indians uniform in 2018.