After a heartbreaking loss to the Yankees, the Indians' playoff run was over before it really got started as Cleveland was swept out of the wild-card round. That means the Indians' World Series drought -- they haven't won it all since 1948 -- continues.
David Schoenfield takes a look at where the Indians stand and answers three key questions for the club moving forward to 2021 and beyond.
Cleveland Indians
Notable free agents: Cesar Hernandez, Carlos Santana ($17.5 million club option), Brad Hand ($10 million club option)
Trade candidates: Francisco Lindor
Extension candidates: Shane Bieber, Zach Plesac
1. Will they trade Lindor?
This isn't just Cleveland's biggest question, but one of the biggest questions of the entire offseason. Given their recent trades of Trevor Bauer, Corey Kluber and Mike Clevinger, we know the Indians will trade star players before they hit free agency -- no matter the potential competitiveness of the team -- and with Lindor entering his final season before free agency, the rumors will be hot and hotter all offseason.
It will be an interesting trade market, however. Most of the top contenders already have a good shortstop (although the Yankees could trade for Lindor and slide Gleyber Torres over to second base, as DJ LeMahieu is a free agent). The Reds, Mets and Brewers could use a shortstop but also have weak farm systems. There are some good shortstops available in free agency -- Marcus Semien, Andrelton Simmons, Didi Gregorius -- so teams might not want to give up a prospect haul for Lindor if they can just sign a free agent.
2. How do they find some outfield production?
For the second straight season, the Cleveland outfield was among the worst in the majors -- only Pirates outfielders had a lower wOBA. Oscar Mercado had a solid 2019 but didn't hit in 2020. Jordan Luplow crushed lefties in 2019 but didn't hit anybody in 2020. Delino DeShields and Tyler Naquin are more fourth-outfielder types. They acquired Josh Naylor from the Padres and maybe he'll hit, but he's more a DH or a first baseman than a left fielder. They don't have any top outfield prospects ready for the majors. So what to do? If Lindor is traded, it would seem the deal would have to include a major league outfielder -- like the Red Sox got in Alex Verdugo when they traded Mookie Betts -- and not just prospects. They can dip into free agency, but that's not Cleveland's mode of operation and, really, outside of George Springer and Michael Brantley, it's a thin group of outfield bats anyway. Any ideas?
3. Will they pick up the options on Santana and Hand?
My guess is no on Santana and maybe on Hand. Santana drew a ton of walks but didn't do much else offensively and he's getting up there in age. It would seem that $17.5 million could be spent in more productive ways -- and they could always try to bring back Santana at a lower salary. Hand had a good season after a rocky 2019 but was also used pretty sparingly. The salary isn't onerous and he does have trade value, but they do have a closer-in-waiting in James Karinchak and other good bullpen arms (plus the Indians always seem capable of finding good pitchers). Maybe they decline both options and use some of the savings on those salaries and a Lindor trade to sign Springer or Brantley.
LOL. It's the Indians. That won't happen.