It was expected and borderline inevitable that Michael Brantley would be one of the Indians’ former pillars to depart.
It still doesn’t make it very easy.
Michael Brantley, the lone bright spot of the otherwise maligned CC Sabathia-for-Matt LaPorta trade with the Brewers, has found a new home with one of the Indians’ contending rivals.
Brantley was likely going to be too expensive for the Indians to retain, even after all of the team’s busywork this week. Still, he gets a two-year, $32 million bargain deal that could pay off dividends for the high-powered Houston team that should be on the short list of teams that have the best chance at winning the title. Adding that Minute Maid Park is a true hitter’s paradise, and Brantley is one of the best pure hitters in baseball, it feels like a perfect fit on a baseball level.
For us though? This stings.