Cleveland Indians: 2020 Season Recap and Awards

CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 29: Josh Naylor #31 celebrates with Roberto Perez #55 of the Cleveland Indians after Naylor hit a solo homer during the fourth inning against the New York Yankees during Game One of the American League Wild Card Series at Progressive Field on September 29, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 29: Josh Naylor #31 celebrates with Roberto Perez #55 of the Cleveland Indians after Naylor hit a solo homer during the fourth inning against the New York Yankees during Game One of the American League Wild Card Series at Progressive Field on September 29, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 12: Oscar Mercado #35 of the Cleveland Indians takes an at bat against the Minnesota Twins during the game at Target Field on September 12, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Indians 8-4. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 12: Oscar Mercado #35 of the Cleveland Indians takes an at bat against the Minnesota Twins during the game at Target Field on September 12, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Indians 8-4. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Indians 2020 Least Valuable Player: Oscar Mercado

With the Indians woeful season at the plate, there are, unfortunately, plenty of candidates for a team Least Valuable Player of the Year Award. The down-year that stood out most, however, would be outfielder Oscar Mercado‘s brutal campaign.

In 2019, Mercado finished 8th in AL Rookie of the Year voting as he slashed .269/.318/.443 with 15 home runs, 54 RBI’s and 15 stolen bases to take over the starting job in center field.

With the Indians counting on him to be a major part of their everyday lineup in 2020, Mercado flopped in a big way. He slashed just .128/.174/.174 with just one home run and six RBI’s and was even demoted to the teams’ alternate site at one point during the summer.

More from Away Back Gone

Looking ahead, Cleveland’s outfield now has major questions as Mercado may not be the long-term center fielder; it looked as if he was set to become after his big rookie season and Delino DeShields struggles in his first year with the Tribe after coming over from Texas in the Corey Kluber trade.

Honorable Mention: Francisco Lindor (.258/.335/.415) 8 HR, 27 RBI’s 

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