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Cleveland Indians: Projecting Cleveland’s upcoming free agents landing spots

By Aaron Gershon

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 22: Cesar Hernandez #7 of the Cleveland Indians celebrates after hitting a solo home run off Reynaldo López #40 of the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Progressive Field on September 22, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 22: Cesar Hernandez #7 of the Cleveland Indians celebrates after hitting a solo home run off Reynaldo López #40 of the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Progressive Field on September 22, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Indians, Cesar Hernandez
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 30: Cesar Hernandez #7 of the Cleveland Indians rounds third on his way to score on a double by Jose Ramirez #11 during the first inning of Game Two of the American League Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees at Progressive Field on September 30, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

IF, Cesar Hernandez

When the Cleveland Indians signed second basemen Cesar Hernandez to a one-year deal last offseason, not much was made of the move.

Hernandez spent the first seven years of his career with the Philadelphia Phillies, where he twice posted a .294 average and hit the open market after slashing .279/.333/.408 with 14 home runs and an impressive 71 RBI’s.

In his first year with Cleveland, he continued that quiet production as he played in 58 of 60 regular season games and slashed .283/.355/.408 with three home runs and 20 RBI’s. Despite his solid season, Hernandez likely won’t earn more than a one-year deal on the open market.

He is 30-years old, mostly limited to second base and with most teams’ suffering from significant revenue losses amid the pandemic, Hernandez likely won’t be seen as a player worth breaking the bank to add. This sets up perfectly for a reunion in Cleveland.

Even if Lindor ends up being shipped off this offseason, the Indians need a starting second baseman for next season and if they end up non-competitive, they could use Hernandez as a trade-chip at the July deadline to add prospects.

It makes too much sense not to see Hernandez come back to Cleveland on a one-year deal and continue to prove himself.

Projected Landing Spot: 1-year deal with Cleveland Indians 

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