Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Indians Add Yonder Alonso to Lineup

Yonder Alonso: 28 HR, .266/.365/.501, 2 SB, 132 wRC+, 2.4 fWAR
Two years, $16 million, $8 million vesting option for 2020

Signing Yonder Alonso is a great move by the Indians. Alonso had a big breakout season in 2017, one very comparable to that of the man he'll be replacing in the lineup, Carlos Santana. Alonso hit .266/.365/.501 with a 132 wRC+, while Santana slashed .259/.363/.455 with a 117 wRC+, and while Santana signed for $60 million with the Phillies, Alonso's contract is worth just $16 million. Obviously, Santana has a much longer track record than Alonso, but Alonso is no slouch and should have no problem replacing Santana in the lineup. His big power breakout in 2017 was fueled by fly balls and hard contact, as he set career highs in both (43.2% and 36%, respectively), while naturally setting a career low in ground balls (33.9%). In addition to all those fly balls, his 13.1% walk rate was also a career high, putting together a power/on-base package that cleanly fits the $16 million price tag. His 132 wRC+ placed him 29th in baseball, just behind Anthony Rizzo (133) and ahead of the likes of Nolan Arenado (129), Buster Posey (128), and Corey Seager (127). For his career, the former Miami Hurricane has 67 home runs, a .268/.340/.407 line, and 5.7 fWAR over 806 games.

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