4 free agents the Cleveland Indians should look at after trading Francisco Lindor.
The Cleveland Indians saved big time by dealing Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco, shaving about $32 million off the payroll heading into the 2021 campaign.
While spinning the Lindor trade, Tribe president Chris Antonetti said he would be able to use some of the money saved in the deal to re-invest in the club for 2021.
The Indians currently have a payroll of around $36 million, meaning they’d have to spend $11 million to tie the Pirates and get out of the payroll cellar.
It’s not in the Indians DNA to spend all of the savings, or even half, for that matter. So, perhaps, the Indians could commit $11-$12 million to help out next year’s club.
If the Indians are going to go after someone, it better be at the dish, because the lineup looks pretty bad right now, with Jose Ramirez as the only proven offensive threat. I was throwing Franmil Reyes in there, and he played well in 2020, but Tribe fans have yet to see him play an entire 162-game season in an Indians uniform.
So, with a little money to spend, here’s a look at four free agents the Tribe should look at before commencing Spring Training in February (at least, we’re hoping that’s when it starts).
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.
2. Michael Brantley
The Indians plan to talk to their former left fielder, according to Cleveland.com’s Terry Pluto.
Brantley hit a combined .309 (.867 OPS) in two seasons with the Astros and was an All-Star who returned to Progressive Field receiving thunders cheers from the crowd.
Pluto believes a team will offer Brantley a lucrative, multi-year contract.
Brantley’s yet to truly cash in through free agency. He signed a two-year, $32 million contract with Houston following the 2018 season. He battled injuries in Cleveland and obviously, teams were gun shy about offering something long-term.
Now, at 33, perhaps Brantley will cash in. But before he does, it sounds like he’ll do the Indians a courtesy of seeing what paltry offer they have to make.
If there’s one thing playing in Cleveland’s favor, it’s Brantley’s age. Thirty-three year olds don’t exactly collect new, long-term deals.
Brantley’s kind of a dying breed in baseball in that he will hit .300, but not rack up huge home-run numbers. Considering the lack of fire power in Cleveland’s lineup, though, he’d be a Godsend in 2021.
3. Eddie Rosario
We know him well from rooting against him in his days with the Twins, but Eddie Rosario would lift a lot spirts that are currently feeling glum over the cost-cutting Tribe.
Rosario, 29, can still mash, plus, he plays the outfield, an extreme position of need
MLB.com’s Mandy Bell called Rosario a “perfect fit” for the Tribe, but then followed up by asking the question we’re all asking: Can he be had for $7 or $8 million.
It seems unlikely, but perhaps the free-agent market will play to the Tribe’s favor. Baseball’s hot stove was a cold as it’s ever been heading into Christmas, and really, with the Lindor trade, things have started to get interesting.
Rosario has the same problem as Brantley in that he’s too close to 30, although he won’t hit that number until late September.
4. Jackie Bradley
If you’re apprehensive over the idea of Oscar Mercado starting in center come Opening Day, welcome. I’m pulling for Mercado, but based off what we saw last season, I’m not optimistic.
Bradley hit .283 (.814 OPS) with seven homers last season and would bring some consistency to an outfield roster that is more unsettled than my stomach after eating a few ballpark hot dogs.
Bradley can fill in a huge need on defense, as well. Fangraphs rated him as MLB’s sixth best defensive fielder a season ago. Obviously, that’s a huge upgrade over Mercado and Delino DeShields Jr.
There’s some speculation that the Mets may be moving on to Bradley as their next order of business, and if they do, well, there’s no way the Tribe’s going to enter a bidding war with Francisco Lindor’s new team.
It may come down to what the Mets do about George Springer. If they make a play to sign him, even after trading for Lindor, Bradley won’t be needed.