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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, OH – SEPTEMBER 23: Carlos Santana #41 of the Cleveland Indians hits a double off Lucas Giolito #27 of the Chicago White Sox during the sixth inning at Progressive Field on September 23, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the White Sox 3-2. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 23: Carlos Santana #41 of the Cleveland Indians hits a double off Lucas Giolito #27 of the Chicago White Sox during the sixth inning at Progressive Field on September 23, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the White Sox 3-2. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images) /

1B/DH, Carlos Santana 

Few players to wear an Indians uniform in the last 10 years more loved by the fan base than Carlos Santana.

Santana is a former All-Star, Silver Slugger Award winner, a Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award winner, was a key member of the 2016 AL Championship Indians and has some of the best plate discipline in baseball history.

However, the 2020 season proved his best baseball is likely behind him. The 34-year old slashed just .199/.349/.350 with eight home runs and 30 RBI’s.

Santana’s future will, in part, be decided by the Indians’ front office. The Indians have a $17.5 million team option for the first basemen this offseason, which after a season of struggles doesn’t make much sense to pick up. Thus, Santana will likely hit the open market and depart Cleveland.

Teams that are most likely to pursue Santana will be one’s seeking a veteran bat on a one-year and relatively team-friendly deal. The Tampa Bay Rays fit that criteria.

Tampa, who is set to take on the Dodgers in the World Series Tuesday night, still is in need of a power bat and have been in on other big-name bats such as Nelson Cruz and Edwin Encarnacion in the past.

Thus, a one-year deal to join the defending AL Champions could make perfect sense for Santana as he looks to continue fighting for a World Series as his career comes near an end.

Projected Landing Spot: Team Declines Option, signs 1-year deal with Tampa Bay Rays

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