Indians: Looking at all 3 players the team declined options on
By Chad Porto
The Cleveland Indians are letting three of their players walk after the 2020 season that saw the team make it to the playoffs.
The Cleveland Indians are slashing payroll, something the rest of the league will be doing as well after the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic caused the league to lose out on $3.1 billion in revenue. That number isn’t just hurting the league but the individual franchises. Teams in lesser markets, like the Indians, will see a more dramatic cut costing effort as opposed to say the Dodgers or Yankees.
Other teams like the AL pennant winner Tampa Bay Rays will also see some dramatic cost-cutting as well, despite getting to the World Series. That’s just the economics of this year, and that could prove to be a good thing for the Indians as they won’t be the only ones tightening their chinstraps, so to speak.
Zack Meisel reported that DH Carlos Santana, OF Domingo Santana, and CP Brad Hand all had their team options declined for the upcoming 2021 season. Due to their contracts Carlos, Domingo, and Hand will all be paid a buyout of $1 million, $250k, and $500k respectively. That’ll save the Indians $30.75 million for the upcoming season.
It’s unlikely the Indians will use that to go after free agents or acquire large contracts. With that money saved and the eventual trade of Francisco Lindor, the Indians may have opened up the purse strings to try and extend other players who aren’t yet due for a contract anytime soon.
Did the Indians make the right call with those three names? Let’s dive deeper.