Cleveland Indians: 4 free agents to sign with Francisco Lindor savings

1. Cesar Hernandez

The 2020 Gold Glove winner is one of the Tribe’s top free-agent targets, according to Cleveland.com’s Terry Pluto. The veteran was a bargain at $6.5 million last year, but Pluto guesses the Indians would have to pay him around $8 million to bring him back.

Hernadez batted .283  (.763 OPS) and led the American League with 20 doubles last season. He also hit three homers while knocking in 20 runs. Frankly, Hernandez was one of the Tribe’s most consistent offensive threats in 2020, along with Jose Ramirez.

Seeing that Hernandez is a top target after the deal is a little surprising, considering the Tribe received two middle infielders in the deal in Andres Gimenez and Amed Rosario.

Brining back Hernandez would afford the Indians the opportunity to start Gimenez, 22, off in the minors. He skipped to Triple-A and had taken over the Mets shortstop gig from Amed Rosario last season.

If this plays out, Hernandez could start at second with Rosario starting at short. Brining back Hernandez would be an excellent move, but no judgements should be made regarding Gimenez and Rosario until we see them in spring training.