Cleveland Indians: Evaluating the Tribe’s upcoming free agents

As the Cleveland Indians transition to the offseason, these names could be on their way out of Cleveland during free agency.

While the 2020 season has come to a close for the Cleveland Indians, the work is just beginning for some in the organization. The year ended short of the goal, being to bring a title to Cleveland, and the work will start over as preparation for the 2021 season is well underway.

Moving towards the new season, the first tasks to tackle will be to address contracts internally, and that will begin with those that could become free agents. Luckily, the Tribe’s list this year for potential departure in free agency is short.

In total, the Indians only have six players that played a considerable role during the season that might leave. Of those six, three could also be brought back on club options that are included with their deals.

The Cleveland Indians have become known as a team that creates their talent in-house through the farm system, meaning that the first step of free agency is normally more important than the second step. Retaining the players they have molded is the key to the Indians’ success, rather than bringing in talent.

While adding talent through free agency is a must for a team that struggled so mightily offensively throughout the season, keeping current pieces in place will be just as important. That begins with these six players.

On the potential out-going list for Cleveland are two catchers, two relievers and two infielders. Cesar Hernandez, Oliver Perez and Sandy Leon are at the end of their contracts, while Carlos Santana, Brad Hand and Roberto Perez have club options on their deals for the 2021 season that could be picked up.

While there are other players that could leave through free agency, these six where the ones that saw the field the most and contributed to the season’s effort that came to a close in the American League Wild Card Series.