Cleveland Indians: Five bold predictions for the Tribe in 2021

Francisco Lindor begins 2021 in a Cleveland Indians uniform

All the talk surrounding the Cleveland Indians this offseason has been Francisco Lindor trade possibilities. At first it seemed like the trade would happen when the season ended, then it was the Winter Meetings and since then it has been any minute. The reality though is we barely have heard any rumors.

While being quiet on the Lindor front, the Indians have cut back payroll in other areas, declining options to Carlos Santana and Brad Hand which will save millions, enough to cover Lindor’s price in 2021. It seemed like a long shot in October, but time is ticking away on a trade now that we’re closer to the 2021 season beginning than we are from the 2020 season ending.

The Indians still have a solid roster, so if the money is there why not see what happens? It’s already assumed that Lindor will sign long-term wherever he gets traded, so a mid-year trade shouldn’t drop his value too far.

To the same point, the Indians could decide at the deadline what to do. If they are still in contention, they can weigh what is more feasible, a championship run or trading Lindor. If they aren’t in contention, then they trade him just like they would now and when the prospects who would replace him have some time in Triple-A under their belt instead of not playing since 2019.

This isn’t saying that Francisco Lindor will sign long-term in Cleveland, that is still a little to none possibility. Instead, why not see what happens? Each day that we get closer to next season feels like the odds of seeing Lindor take the field with script Indians across his chest again go up.