Indians: Looking at all 3 players the team declined options on
By Chad Porto
Domingo Santana
Domingo Santana was a mistake. Sure, he hit .253 and 21 home runs in Seattle, but that was also just one of two times he ever had a season of 20 home runs or more. Signing him cost other players field time, even though he only played 40% of the season. Part of that was performance-based, as he was sent down to Lake County to start September.
Santana’s arrival helped push guys like Jake Bauers to the minors, a move that the team couldn’t really afford to have happened, as Bauers needed time at the plate to develop and improve. He wasn’t the only outfield prospect that Santana took away valuable at-bats from, but is one of the more noted.
Santana failed to generate anything offensively and the team declining his team option was a wise-move. That said, for the right price, Santana may find himself back in Cleveland if it’s on a minimum deal.
The Indians will need bodies more than likely, and having someone familiar with the franchise in 2021 may not hurt. The team will look drastically different next season but that might be a good thing. Maybe a trade involving Francisco Lindor or Carlos Carrasco would another outfielder, one that would make trying to retain Santana a non-factor.