Denard Span

If the Nationals don't exercise Denard Span's 2015 option, he'll be the top free agent center fielder on the market this offseason.

(Alex Brandon/Associated Press)

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Here is a look at the center fielders who could potentially be available this winter in the 2015 free-agent class.

All eligible players technically become free agents at the end of the World Series, but there is a five-day period where a player's former team has exclusive negotiating rights. If a deal is not reached within those five days, teams are free to make offers on available free agents.

The following is not only a look at the available center fielders, but who among them could help the Indians for 2015 and beyond. This is part of a position-by-position look at this winter's free agent class.

Center fielders

Top of the class

1. Denard Span (.302/.355/.416), 31, Nationals: Span was the top center fielder available, but the Nationals removed him from the market by exercising his $9 million club option for 2015. Span had 184 hits, scored 94 runs and stole 31 bases in 38 attempts for the Nationals this year.

2. Colby Rasmus (.225/.287/.446), 28, Blue Jays: He played 87 of his 104 games in center field on a one-year, $7 million deal. Ramus has power as his 21 doubles and 18 homers suggest, but he swings and misses a lot (124 strikeouts in 346 at-bats).

3. Emilio Bonifacio (.259/.288/.385), 30, Braves: He's more of a utility player than a pure center fielder, but he appeared in 65 games in center for the Braves and Cubs this year. Bonifacio stole 25 bases in 34 attempts and scored 47 runs. A middle infielder who can play center is always valuable.

4. Chris Young (.222/.299/.385), 31, Yankees: Young was Arizona's starting center fielder 2007-11, but he's been on a downward slide since. The Mets signed him to a one-year, $7.25 million deal after the 2013 season, but released him in August before the Yankees signed him. He hit 20 doubles and 11 homers with 38 RBI.

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What the Indians need

It would be wrong to assume the Indians couldn't trade center fielder Michael Bourn if they wanted. They would have to assume a healthy chunk on what remains of his four-year, $48 million deal, but if they really wanted to trade him they could. Still, it's doubtful they'd do that so they could replace him with someone from this thin free agent class. Span is the best player out there and the Nationals are expected to keep him.

The Indians could always replace Bourn with Michael Brantley or give Tyler Holt or Tyler Naquin a shot. Here's a thought for down the road as well. What about Jose Ramirez moving from short to center to make room for Francisco Lindor?

But the idea of moving Bourn would be to create a spot for another hitter at another position. It probably won't happen, but the opportunity is there.

Potential free agent center fielders

Endy Chavez, Nyjer Morgan, Franklin Gutierrez (who did not play last year at any level), Darin Mastroianni, Corey Brown. (Free agent lists compiled by Cot's and mlbtraderumors.com).

Grade: After Span, there's not much to get excited about.

Next: Right fielders.