Indians: 3 players we can’t afford to lose
The Indians have several players from the 2020 squad that could help the team a ton if they are not let go before 2021.
The Cleveland Indians nearly won it all in 2016. Then the Chicago Cubs came back from a 3-1 World Series deficit and Cleveland’s club has not been able to repeat the success.
The usually frugal ownership decided to spend a lot from 2016-2018 and the team fell short. Then came the impending cuts and the extra financial losses in 2020 are spelling doom for the fanbase.
The Indians are likely to move on from the best player on the team and a few other veterans who have been key contributors for years could be gone as well. Ownership has already started making cuts. The following players can’t afford to be lost if there is going to be a real a shot at winning in 2021.
3. Carlos Carrasco
Carlos Carrasco may be a surprise name for some fans. However, he is set to earn $12 million in each of the next two seasons and has a $14 million vested option for 2023. That makes him a top trade candidate on a team slashing payroll.
Trading away Carrasco may be the final straw for some fans. At least for a few years. He has spent his entire MLB career with the Indians after being traded to Cleveland from Philadelphia back in 2009 as part of the Cliff Lee deal.
He has become a fan favorite and coming back following a cancer diagnosis and battle was an emotional moment for the team and the fans. Both sides will truly see how much of a business baseball is if he is traded.
Carrasco will be 34 years old to start next season and based on recent team history, calls are going to be made about moving him. That would be a huge blow to the rotation, leaving Shane Bieber as the ace with still unproven talent behind him.