Cleveland Indians: All-Millennium lineup 20 years into the 2000s

Catcher: Victor Martinez (2002-09)

There are few better hitting catchers in the history of baseball than Victor Martinez. The Venezuela spent the first seven and a half years of his nearly two-decade-long career behind the plate for the Indians and emerging as one of baseball’s top catchers.

He was named an All-Star three times during his time with the Indians (2004, 2007, 2009), won the Silver Slugger Award at catcher in 2004 and guided two Cy Young Award winners behind the plate in C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee. At the plate, he hit above .300 in three of his seven full seasons with the Indians while driving in over 100 runs twice.

Martinez has easily been the Indians’ top catcher of the millennium thus far and will be tough for anyone to beat the next 80 years.

1B: Carlos Santana (2010-17, 2019-20)

Few Indians in the club’s history are better at getting on base than long-time first basemen Carlos Santana. Santana spent 10 of his first 11 seasons of his career with the Indians as he left the club for the Phillies in 2018, only to be traded back to Cleveland the following offseason.

In his time with the Tribe, Santana has put together six seasons of hitting at least 20 home runs and two seasons hitting over 30. He never posted an on-base percentage below .349 as he drew over 100 walks four-times, earning a reputation for having the best plate discipline in baseball.

Santana was named an All-Star and the Silver Slugger Award winner at first base in 2019 as he finished the year hitting .281 with a career-high 34 home runs and 108 RBI’s. He signed on with the Kansas City Royals for the 2021 season but as of now has earned the reputation as the Indians’ best first basemen of the millennium so far.

2B: Jason Kipnis (2011-19)

Not only was Jason Kipnis a fan favorite, he has been the best second basemen the Indians have had since 2000.

After a brief MLB stint and 2011 and playing 152 games as a rookie in 2012, Kipnis broke out in 2013, slashing .284/.366/.452 with 17 home runs, 84 RBI’s and 30 stolen bases. He would be named an All-Star and helped Cleveland clinch a surprise playoff berth.

In 2015, Kipnis again was named an All-Star as he slashed a career-best .303/.372/.451. Kipnis would help lead the Indians to the World Series in 2016, AL Central titles in 2017 and 2018, but after slumping in 2019 saw his time with the team come to an end as he instead joined his hometown Cubs for the 2020 season.

Still, the two-time All-Star and fan favorite easily gets the start at second base for the All-Millennium Indians.

SS: Francisco Lindor (2015-Present)

In his time with the Indians, Francisco Lindor has emerged as baseball’s best shortstop and one of the few true superstars in the game.

He has been named an All-Star four times (2016-19), won four Gold Glove Awards, a Platinum Glove and two Silver Sluggers while also helping lead the Indians to the 2016 World Series and to the postseason four times.

There’s no question Lindor is the Indians top shortstop since 2000 and has a chance to emerge as the best in franchise history if the team shocks the baseball world by offering him a long-term extension.

3B: Jose Ramirez (2013-Present)

Along with Lindor, Jose Ramirez has helped form one of the best infield right-side duos in Indians history.

While he has played some second base, Ramirez has found a home at the hot corner where he is a two-time All-Star, three-time Silver Slugger and three-time MVP finalist.

Ramirez played a vital role in both the Indians 2016 AL Championship season and 102-win 2017 campaign hitting above .310 and playing 15 games in both years. He is another player that, if Cleveland decides to hold onto, has the potential to finish his career as an all-time franchise great.

Next: Outfield and DH