Steve_424
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With COVID-19 impacting the sports world in unprecedented ways and the financial implications likely impacting teams like the Indians, the future may be here before we know it. Francisco Lindor may never play another game in an Indians uniform - same for Carlos Santana, maybe Brad Hand too. So let's look at the future of the team and the possibilities at each position.
Catcher
Roberto Perez is set to make $5.5 M in 2021 and $7 M in 2022 at age 32 and 33 respectively. The future here is Bo Naylor, while Yainer Diaz is a name to remember as well, especially if the Tribe decides Naylor's bat is too good to expose to the wear and tear of being an every day catcher. Neither are likely to be ready any earlier than 2022, so Perez makes for a perfect bridge.
First Base
The Indians hold a $17.5 M team option on Carlos Santana for 2021. I'd pick it up, or decline and work out a 2-3 years deal at a lower cost if he were interested. Either way though, he'll be 35 next year so a replacement will need to come sooner or later.
Bobby Bradley is a top internal option, although his defense still needs work and he needs to provide he can consistently hit big league pitching. Jake Bauers, who will only be 25 next season, is an option as well. It's also possible the Indians decide Nolan Jones is best-served at 1B long-term, although I don't expect that to happen, at least not yet. There are usually a few veteran free agents available every year at 1B, so the Tribe could go that route too.
Second Base/Shortstop
I pair these together because the Indians have quite a few options coming through the system in the middle infield that may fit at one or the other. If Nolan Jones become the future at 3B, 2B could become Jose Ramirez's through 2023. Tyler Freeman may be ready by 2021 or 2022, with Brayan Rocchio and Aaron Bracho a year or so behind him in big league readiness. Rocchio seems the best bet for SS defensively. Angel Martinez and Jose Tena are potential options further down the road while Ernie Clement and Yu Chang could be near-term answers. Cesar Hernandez's Indians career looks to be as long as Andrew Bogut's with the Cavs.
Third Base
This position is likely to be manned by Jose Ramirez or Nolan Jones, depending how the latter does defensively. Gabriel Rodriguez is a potential future option here or at SS as well, although he's a ways away.
Outfield
The Indians' outfield, of course, is short on sure-things but not due to a lack of options. Oscar Mercado will open next season at 26 years old and seems locked as a starter. Franmil Reyes will be 25 next season and will play either corner OF or DH. Jordan Luplow has established himself as at least part of a platoon. The Indians have an option for Domingo Santana as well. Greg Allen and Bradley Zimmer will both be 28, with the former looking like a 4th outfielder and the latter potentially entering 2021 two years from his last MLB action. Daniel Johnson will be 25 and maybe gets a real shot next year. George Valera has the highest ceiling in the system, although he is probably still a few years away. Will Benson is a potential option in a few years, while Jake Bauers could play a corner OF next year if he isn't at first.
Starting Pitcher
The Indians are loaded with youth and depth here, with only Mike Clevinger (signed through 2022) and Carlos Carrasco (through 2023) anywhere close to free agency. Shane Bieber, Aaron Civale, Zach Plesac, Jefry Rodriguez, Scott Moss, and Logan Allen are all in their mid-20's and locked in awhile. Adam Plutko will be 30 but could stick with the club. Daniel Espino, Ethan Hankins, and Triston McKenzie are the highest-ceiling arms in the system, with Espino/Hankins the further away but McKenzie closer also having long-term durability question marks attached to him. Sam Hentges is a big lefty with some upside. Carlos Vargas, Luis Oviedo, Lenny Torres, and Cody Morris are other long-term possibilities.
Bullpen
Brad Hand is unlikely to be here long-term, with the Indians clearly starting to groom future back-end relievers in Emmanuel Clase and James Karinchak. Nick Wittgren seems to have a future role with this group as well. Other options could come from the list of starters above who get transitioned to a relief role (Rodriguez?), while Nick Sandlin is well-regarded in the system. Aside from the primary back-end guys, this group is hard to predict because of the type of mix of players the Indians usually use.
Manager
Tito will be 61 on Opening Day next year and has battled a few different health issues in recent years. He's also a baseball lifer who seems likely to only retire when he physically can't do it anymore. He's signed through 2022 and will likely be the Indians' manager as long as he wants to be. Who might be next should he retire?
Sandy Alomar Jr. has been on the Indians staff since 2009 and is adored by the organization and fans alike. He seems like the first name you'd hear internally. Or, of course, the Indians could look for an external hire, likely with focus on someone who can develop young talent.
What are your thoughts on the future of the club?
Catcher
Roberto Perez is set to make $5.5 M in 2021 and $7 M in 2022 at age 32 and 33 respectively. The future here is Bo Naylor, while Yainer Diaz is a name to remember as well, especially if the Tribe decides Naylor's bat is too good to expose to the wear and tear of being an every day catcher. Neither are likely to be ready any earlier than 2022, so Perez makes for a perfect bridge.
First Base
The Indians hold a $17.5 M team option on Carlos Santana for 2021. I'd pick it up, or decline and work out a 2-3 years deal at a lower cost if he were interested. Either way though, he'll be 35 next year so a replacement will need to come sooner or later.
Bobby Bradley is a top internal option, although his defense still needs work and he needs to provide he can consistently hit big league pitching. Jake Bauers, who will only be 25 next season, is an option as well. It's also possible the Indians decide Nolan Jones is best-served at 1B long-term, although I don't expect that to happen, at least not yet. There are usually a few veteran free agents available every year at 1B, so the Tribe could go that route too.
Second Base/Shortstop
I pair these together because the Indians have quite a few options coming through the system in the middle infield that may fit at one or the other. If Nolan Jones become the future at 3B, 2B could become Jose Ramirez's through 2023. Tyler Freeman may be ready by 2021 or 2022, with Brayan Rocchio and Aaron Bracho a year or so behind him in big league readiness. Rocchio seems the best bet for SS defensively. Angel Martinez and Jose Tena are potential options further down the road while Ernie Clement and Yu Chang could be near-term answers. Cesar Hernandez's Indians career looks to be as long as Andrew Bogut's with the Cavs.
Third Base
This position is likely to be manned by Jose Ramirez or Nolan Jones, depending how the latter does defensively. Gabriel Rodriguez is a potential future option here or at SS as well, although he's a ways away.
Outfield
The Indians' outfield, of course, is short on sure-things but not due to a lack of options. Oscar Mercado will open next season at 26 years old and seems locked as a starter. Franmil Reyes will be 25 next season and will play either corner OF or DH. Jordan Luplow has established himself as at least part of a platoon. The Indians have an option for Domingo Santana as well. Greg Allen and Bradley Zimmer will both be 28, with the former looking like a 4th outfielder and the latter potentially entering 2021 two years from his last MLB action. Daniel Johnson will be 25 and maybe gets a real shot next year. George Valera has the highest ceiling in the system, although he is probably still a few years away. Will Benson is a potential option in a few years, while Jake Bauers could play a corner OF next year if he isn't at first.
Starting Pitcher
The Indians are loaded with youth and depth here, with only Mike Clevinger (signed through 2022) and Carlos Carrasco (through 2023) anywhere close to free agency. Shane Bieber, Aaron Civale, Zach Plesac, Jefry Rodriguez, Scott Moss, and Logan Allen are all in their mid-20's and locked in awhile. Adam Plutko will be 30 but could stick with the club. Daniel Espino, Ethan Hankins, and Triston McKenzie are the highest-ceiling arms in the system, with Espino/Hankins the further away but McKenzie closer also having long-term durability question marks attached to him. Sam Hentges is a big lefty with some upside. Carlos Vargas, Luis Oviedo, Lenny Torres, and Cody Morris are other long-term possibilities.
Bullpen
Brad Hand is unlikely to be here long-term, with the Indians clearly starting to groom future back-end relievers in Emmanuel Clase and James Karinchak. Nick Wittgren seems to have a future role with this group as well. Other options could come from the list of starters above who get transitioned to a relief role (Rodriguez?), while Nick Sandlin is well-regarded in the system. Aside from the primary back-end guys, this group is hard to predict because of the type of mix of players the Indians usually use.
Manager
Tito will be 61 on Opening Day next year and has battled a few different health issues in recent years. He's also a baseball lifer who seems likely to only retire when he physically can't do it anymore. He's signed through 2022 and will likely be the Indians' manager as long as he wants to be. Who might be next should he retire?
Sandy Alomar Jr. has been on the Indians staff since 2009 and is adored by the organization and fans alike. He seems like the first name you'd hear internally. Or, of course, the Indians could look for an external hire, likely with focus on someone who can develop young talent.
What are your thoughts on the future of the club?