Fansided

One offseason move each MLB team needs to make

By Joshua Sadlock

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 01: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the Miami Marlins during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on October 1, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Miami Marlins via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 01: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the Miami Marlins during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on October 1, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Miami Marlins via Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 06: Francisco Lindor #12 of the Cleveland Indians reacts after a call was overturned in the eleventh inning against the New York Yankees during game two of the American League Division Series at Progressive Field on October 6, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 06: Francisco Lindor #12 of the Cleveland Indians reacts after a call was overturned in the eleventh inning against the New York Yankees during game two of the American League Division Series at Progressive Field on October 6, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Cleveland Indians: Extend Francisco Lindor

It’s hard to find something legitimate for the Indians to work on this offseason. Their core will remain mostly intact, and they have no discernible needs. Carlos Santana or Jay Bruce will be re-signed to hold down first base next season. The one thing that should be on the front office’s mind is attempting to get an extension done with shortstop Francisco Lindor.

The Indians have been able to get virtually every key piece on their roster to sign an extension to buy up their early years of free agency. Corey Kluber, Jason Kipnis, Danny Salazar, Jose Ramirez, Carlos Carrasco — all locked up. As good as those players and pitchers are, the Indians were able to capitalize on their unique career circumstances and use it to get them to compromise on a deal. Franchise icons like Lindor, a 23-year-old shortstop coming off a 33-homer season that should result in another Gold Glove, do not typically have to give up free-agent year for a few extra million before arbitration.

Cleveland, with its small market, was able to make aggressive moves at the trade deadline in 2016 and during last offseason because so many of their stars are on cheap contracts. If Kluber, Salazar and Carrasco were all paid fair-market value for a number-one starter, the Indians would have had no chance to trade for Andrew Miller or sign Edwin Encarnacion.

Most of baseball’s biggest young superstars — think Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and Kris Bryant — have shown no interest in signing an extension before free agency. This might be the last offseason the Indians have any shot at locking Lindor up, and if they are able to win the World Series, that certainly helps their cause.

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