Fansided

3 impactful players Cleveland Indians will lose in free agency

By Steven Kubitza

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 10: Carlos Santana #41 of the Cleveland Indians forces out Whit Merrifield #15 of the Kansas City Royals during the seventh inning at Progressive Field on September 10, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Royals defeated the Indians 11-1. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 10: Carlos Santana #41 of the Cleveland Indians forces out Whit Merrifield #15 of the Kansas City Royals during the seventh inning at Progressive Field on September 10, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Royals defeated the Indians 11-1. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images) /
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Cesar Hernandez, Cleveland Indians
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 20: Cesar Hernandez #7 of the Cleveland Indians bats against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 20, 2020, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

2. Cesar Hernandez

Cesar Hernandez was actually a pleasant surprise for Indians fans in 2020. He is a true free agent already and the problem with his great play was that he may have priced himself out of a new contract with the Indians.

The second baseman hit 20 doubles and slashed .283/.355/.408 on a deal worth $6.25 million before it was prorated. He is now 30 years old and the Indians offering him a multi-year deal worth over that $6.25 million figure annually is just unrealistic given the history of this franchise.

Hernandez has posted a WAR of at least 1.4 in every season since 2015. He will get paid, but by a team that has much more money to throw around. Cutting Hand and likely trading Lindor will signal more of a rebuild and a 30-year-old second baseman with one of the bigger deals on the team is not going to happen. The Indians have to be looked at through the lens of slashing payroll this offseason and Hernandez is a clear casualty.

The doomsday option for Indians fans is both Hernandez and Lindor being let go, only for Mike Freeman to become a regular in the infield. That may end up happening and ownership will have to offer up a great explanation as to why.

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