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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, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 21: Brad Hand #33 of the Cleveland Indians celebrates after the Indians defeated the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field on September 21, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the White Sox 6-4. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 21: Brad Hand #33 of the Cleveland Indians celebrates after the Indians defeated the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field on September 21, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the White Sox 6-4. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

LHP, Brad Hand

Perhaps Cleveland’s toughest decision among their six potential free agents will be what to do with closer Brad Hand. The 30-year old southpaw is set to make $10 million next season but does have a $1 million buyout that would make him a free agent.

Hand was the only reliever in baseball not to blow a save during the 2020 regular season. However, former top prospect James Karinchak impressed as he continued to be groomed to be the teams’ future closer, Nick Wittgren impressed at times and Emmanuel Clase will return.

Thus, the Indians may opt to save $9 million and let Hand walk in free agency. If he does, the southpaw would be a perfect fit for the 2020 NL Champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Dodgers have won the NL West eight straight years but have yet to win the World Series in that span in large part due to struggles in the bullpen. Kenley Jansen has struggled mightily in the closers’ role while no other reliever has risen to the occasion to take that role.

Hand would bring much-needed stability and a left-handed arm to that role for the Dodgers, who will likely have a much harder time winning the NL West going forward, given the emergence of the San Diego Padres as legitimate title contenders.

Projected Landing Spot: Team Declines Option, signs 2-year deal with Los Angeles Dodgers

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