Cleveland Indians: What’s the roster look like if the season started today?

What would the Cleveland Indians roster look like if the season started today?

The offseason for the Cleveland Indians is about halfway over, so what would the roster look like if the season started today? It’s been three months since we last saw the team take the field and there have been a handful of changes, mainly departures.

Now, we’re about two months from pitchers and catchers reporting, which means we’re closer to the start of the 2021 campaign than we are from the conclusion of the 2020 season. With that being said, what does the current state of the roster look like? If the season started today, what team would run out onto the field?

There’s still plenty of moves to come, including what is most likely the blockbuster trade of the offseason, but if the season started right now, this is what the roster of the Cleveland Indians would look like.

Starting Pitchers

Shane Bieber, Carlos Carrasco, Zach Plesac, Aaron Civale and Triston McKenzie

We’ll start with arguably the best strength of the team, the starting rotation. Outside of Carlos Carrasco, all five guys that are part of the rotation are under the age of 25. Of the five, four registered an ERA below 3.25 during the 2020 season with only Aaron Civale having an ERA higher at 4.74.

Across the board this unit impressed during the 2020 season and has the tools to do so again in 2021. There isn’t much to say about this group that hasn’t already been shown on the field. There’s little doubt that the starting pitching will be relied upon to be the backbone of the team.

The only thing that could reroute the direction of this group would be the potential trade of Carrasco. While the rumors have been quiet, they have been present. While Carrasco has been a steady arm, he’s getting older and has turned into the team’s most expensive contract on the books. Should they decide to move Carrasco it would have to be done with confidence in another prospect to take his spot, like we’ve seen with the last three starting pitcher trades.

Bullpen

James Karinchak, Nick Wittgren, Cam Hill, Phil Maton, Trevor Stephan, Cal Quantrill, Logan Allen, Jordan Humphreys

The bullpen of the Cleveland Indians will look much different during the 2021 season than we’ve become accustomed to seeing. For starters, closer Brad Hand won’t be with the team and neither will Adam Cimber, two players that came to Cleveland in the same deal. On top of that, the Tribe will also be without Oliver Perez, creating a much younger bullpen.

With those moves will come perhaps the most glaring question for the Cleveland Indians as of now regarding their roster. Who will be the closer? Both James Karinchak and Nick Wittgren served as setup men out of the pen, but there could also be some other names that enter the fold. From players that remain from the 2020 roster, Karinchak and Cam Hill are the only ones that logged a save, being one for each of them.

There will also most likely be at least two new names in the bullpen when the Tribe take the field in 2021, being Jordan Humphreys and Trevor Stephan. Humphreys was claimed off waivers in November from the Giants and Stephan was a Rule 5 Draft pick. Neither have pitched in the majors yet, but given the moves to acquire them there’s high likelihood they will. Being a Rule 5 pick, Stephan is almost guaranteed to be with the club all season.

Infielders

Roberto Perez, Austin Hedges, Bobby Bradley, Yu Chang, Francisco Lindor, Jose Ramirez, Nolan Jones

First things first. Yes, the catchers are included here, there just isn’t enough to say about them alone to fill a page, so here we are. Both players are dominant defensively, but have some offensive crutches that pair perfectly with the eighth spot in the lineup.

The other glaring item here is Francisco Lindor. While the chances of him being on the roster on Opening Day are slim to none, he’s still currently on the roster so he still makes this list. However, don’t plan on him being here. Odds are Ernie Clement would slot in unless another player is added.

As for the rest of the players, we again see some changes. Carlos Santana and Cesar Hernandez depart and they are replaced by in-house names that should be familiar in Bobby Bradley and Yu Chang. Both have been given opportunities in the past, but not a long-term chance to start. They’ve shown flashes to put them in this position, but will still need to gain the trust of the organization to lock down their spot.

As for the others, Jose Ramirez will be expected to be the anchor of the group and the driving force both offensively and defensively. He’ll be joined at third, most likely, by Nolan Jones who is the No. 1 prospect in the Cleveland Indians organization. Where Jones slots in during the 2021 season will depend on his ability to expand his versatility to first base and the outfield as well as the club’s plan for his service time.