Cleveland Indians: 9 moves Tribe must make this offseason for 2021

3. Promote Jones to replace Santana

With Jose Ramirez playing MVP caliber baseball, get top prospect Nolan Jones a first baseman’s mit and let’s go.

Jones spent the season at the alternate site and will be a part of the Tribe’s fall instructional league. Knowing the Indians, they probably won’t begin the season with Jones on the roster. Historically, the front office usually waits for the temperature to warm before finally elevating a prospect.

Factor in that Jones has never played first base in the minors, the powers-that-be will want him to get his feet wet with some live action where the pressure isn’t as great.

So, the Tribe will likely replace Carlos Santana with Bobby Bradley, Jake Bauers or even Josh Nayor. I’d like to see Bradley finally get a shot, although I’m sure they’ll kick the tires on Bauers.

Naylor should be considered a last resort, just because he’s needed in the outfield.

Bradley hit 33 bombs for the Clippers in the Columbus Clippers in 2019, although he didn’t make much of an impression during his short stint with the Tribe. It’s time to find out if that power translates at the big-league level.