Cleveland Indians: Best landing spots for departing players

The Cleveland Indians are likely to see some notable names depart this offseason via free agency. Here are some of the best potential landing spots for those players.

The 2020 offseason is likely to see plenty of change for the Cleveland Indians.

On top of the inevitable future move to trade away four-time All-Star Francisco Lindor, the Indians are likely to see a handful of key contributors leave town via free agency in the coming weeks and months.

Among those players are outfielder and former first round draft pick Tyler Naquin who was non-tendered by the team last week, Delino DeShields Jr., who was also non-tendered, closer Brad Hand who is a free agent and first basemen and Cleveland legend Carlos Santana whose time with the team is almost certainly set to come to an end via free agency.

While there’s a chance other players such as Cesar Hernandez could depart, Cleveland will likely make some sort of attempt to keep him and affordable players around while allowing Santana and Hand to walk and having already decided to move on from Naquin and DeShields.

Where will the Indians set to leave the City of Rock and Roll land? Here are the best landing spots for the four players most likely to depart Cleveland this offseason via free agency.

OF, Tyler Naquin (29)

When the Indians selected in the first round of the 2012 Draft out of Texas A&M, the hope was for him to be a star in the outfield for years to come. While the 29-year old has shown flashes of living up to his first round status, injuries have plagued his career.

In his rookie season of 2016, Naquin hit .296 with 14 home runs, 43 RBIs in 116 games as he helped guide the Indians to the World Series. The following season however he was held to just 19 games due to injury and played just 61 games in 2018 and 89 in 2019.

He played 40 games for Cleveland during the shortened 2020 season but hit just .218, which led the Indians to the decision to non-tender their former first round picks’ contract and let him hit the free-agent market.
With a reunion in Cleveland unlikely, Naquin has been linked to teams such as the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates, but the best fit for the former first-rounder would be the Texas Rangers.

Naquin is a native of Harris County, Texas and played his college baseball in College Station at Texas A&M. Thus, landing in the Lone Star state with the Rangers would be a homecoming for the 29-year old outfielder.

The Rangers are also a team in need of help in the outfield. They have slugger Joey Gallo who can play either corner spot but could use help in center and on the opposite corner of Gallo, making a Texas homecoming for Naquin a perfect fit.

Best Fit: Texas Rangers 

OF, Delino DeShields Jr. (28)

When the Indians traded Corey Kluber to the Rangers last offseason, they received speedy outfielder Delino DeShields Jr. The Indians hoped he’d fill their need for a reliable starting center fielder.

Instead, DeShields found himself in an outfield platoon as he hit just .252 with no home runs and seven RBI’s in 37 games. After the rough season, the Indians opted to non-tender his contract leaving pitcher Emmanuel Clase as the only player received for Kluber left in the organization.

With the 28-year old DeShields a free agent, he will look to find a home where he can play every day to perhaps get into a better rhythm at the plate. A destination that fits that bill is the Boston Red Sox.

Long time center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. is a free agent and unlikely to return to Boston this offseason. With the Red Sox in a transitional phase as an organization, DeShields upside would be perfect for a one-year experiment at Fenway Park.

Best Fit: Boston Red Sox 

LHP, Brad Hand (30)

In his second full season with the Indians, Brad Hand was automatic in the closers’ role.

The southpaw pitched to a 2.05 ERA in 23 relief appearances and was a perfect 16/16 in his save opportunities during the regular season, with his lone blown save coming in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees.

While having Hand back would be a big lift for the Tribe, it’s unrealistic to see them spend the closers money he will demand this offseason after the emergence of James Karinchak as a reliable late-inning man. Thus, the 30-year old Hand will likely depart Cleveland as a free agent in the coming months.

Nearly every contender has been linked to Hand, but the best fit would be with the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

Despite winning it all in 2020, the Dodgers bullpen was shaky at best, with closer Kenley Jansen struggling mightily. Los Angeles’ bullpen was also majority right-handed, which makes Hand even more enticing for the defending champs.

Having spent time and being named an All-Star with the San Diego Padres, Hand is familiar with the NL West and would likely thrive with a Dodgers team looking to repeat as World Series champions.

Best Fit: Los Angeles Dodgers