2020 Cleveland Indians Mid-Season Player Awards

Indians Mid-Year Storyline of the season: The Clevinger/Plesac debacle

This one is hard because it’s competing with Terry Francona’s health issues, the reemergence of Franmil Reyes and Tyler Naquin, Sandy Alomar making a strong case to be a team’s manager, Triston McKenzie’s debut and Shane Bieber’s awe-inspiring season.

Yet it was the time Zach Plesac and Mike Clevinger broke team and league rules to go out and party in Chicago while on a road trip that has become the biggest story surrounding the team. The event caused wide-spread condemnation and had more twists and turns than a Cedar Point roller coaster. Not until the season is over, or until the team moves on from both men, will this story actually be done. Until then, people will still bring it back up.

Indians Mid-Year Gold Glover: Francisco Lindor

While yes, the Gold Glove is given out to the best defensive player at every given position in both the AL and NL, like with the MVP and Cy Young, we’re just giving out one to the best glove on the team so far. That goes to Francisco Lindor.

While Carlos Santana and Cesar Hernandez were considered as well, Lindor is among the team leaders in putouts, assists, and double plays turned. Not too mention as of Aug 27, he’s yet to commit an error defensively. His playing of shortstop does help, as it’s routinely considered the most difficult position to play in the field, but he’s also played really well defensively as to boot. The whole team has, actually. Thus making this not just a hard one to decide on but also a reassuring fact to hold onto as the season continues on.

This team is great defensively.