Throughout Michael Brantley's 12-year career, the sweet-swinging outfielder's biggest problem has been staying on the field. However, when he's done so, the 33-year-old has consistently been one of the elite players at his position.
In fact, Brantley has largely stayed healthy over the past three seasons, and FanGraphs says that he's been the fourth-most valuable offensive left fielder since the start of the 2018 season, trailing only Christian Yelich, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Juan Soto.
On top of that, Brantley, once an option in center field, has turned into an excellent defender in left field, posting 16 defensive runs saved over the past two seasons.
Following a two-year stint with the Houston Astros, Brantley, a four-time All-Star, once again finds himself on the free-agent market. While the Astros figure to be competitive for his services, they're among a group of five potential suitors we've identified as possible landing spots:
Houston Astros
Michael Brantley has spent the last two years with the Astros.(Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal reported last month that the Astros and Brantley would like to work out a new deal and have had discussions to such an end. That shouldn't be especially surprising when you consider that the team's regular right fielder - Josh Reddick - has already announced he won't return to Houston next season, and it seems pretty unlikely that the team will retain franchise icon George Springer. Whether the plan is to use Brantley in left field, at DH or a bit of both, it would behoove the Astros to re-sign him if they hope to have any shot at reaching the ALCS for the fifth-consecutive season.
New York Yankees
Michael Brantley is reportedly a target of the Yankees.(Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today)The Yankees' ideal offseason would see them re-sign DJ LeMahieu, who has been one of the best players in the sport over the past two seasons. However, they face competition for his services, and ESPN's Buster Olney says that they've "had contact" with Brantley's representatives, suggesting he could be a fallback option from an offensive sense. Under said scenario, the Yankees would likely move Gleyber Torres back to second base and in addition to signing Brantley, probably add a veteran shortstop like Andrelton Simmons, who RADIO.COM MLB Insider Jon Heyman has previously reported has received interest from the Yankees.
Atlanta Braves
Michael Brantley is a free agent.(Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA Today)If the DH isn't going to return to the National League in 2021, the Braves may prefer to replace Marcell Ozuna's offensive production with a better defensive option, a bill that Brantley would fit. Now, with Ronald Acuña Jr., Ender Inciarte and Christian Pache in the fold - along with Drew Waters knocking on the door of the majors - the Braves don't necessarily need to replace Ozuna's production with an outfielder. They could consider third base options instead, for example. That said, the Braves finished a game away from reaching the World Series in 2020, and the addition of Brantley to their lineup may help them in their quest to knock off the Los Angeles Dodgers. Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors has projected that Brantley will sign a two-year/$28 million deal with the Braves, one we believe would age pretty well.
St. Louis Cardinals
Michael Brantley is one of the game's elite corner outfielders.(Jayne Kamin-Oncea/USA Today)Rather miraculously, the Cardinals overcame a borderline unfair schedule in 2020 (brought on because of COVID-19) to return to the postseason a year after reaching the NLCS. While their first priority this winter is to attempt to re-sign franchise icons Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright, they could stand to add some more production in the outfield this offseason. Tyler O'Neill, the team's primary left fielder in 2020, hit just .173 in the pandemic-shortened season. Center fielder Harrison Bader is more known for his defense. Right fielder Dexter Fowler is entering the final season of what's been a very disappointing five-year pact. Top prospect Dylan Carlson may be ready to take over one of the outfield spots on a full-time basis in 2021, and if you added Brantley into the mix with him, the Cardinals could boast above-average outfield production as soon as next season.
Chicago White Sox
Could Michael Brantley be a fit for the White Sox?(Joe Nicholson/USA Today)Many believed that the signing of Adam Eaton to a one-year/$7 million deal with a club option for a second year nixed the possibility of Brantley coming to Chicago, but that may not be the case. MLB Insider Jayson Stark says that the White Sox actually are "not yet out on Brantley." From here, it's still a bit difficult to find an exact fit for Brantley defensively, because he's primarily a left fielder, and with Eloy Jimenez in left field, the White Sox were looking for more of a right fielding option. Seemingly, though, Eaton filled that need. Brantley could DH, though top prospect Andrew Vaughn may very well debut with the team in 2021, and the natural first baseman will likely DH with reigning American League MVP Jose Abreu at first base. If it was only a one-year deal, Brantley might make quite a bit of sense. It still seems hard to see them committing to multiple seasons, though, especially after the Eaton signing.
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