Cleveland Indians: Five bold predictions for the Tribe in 2021

Five bold predictions for the Cleveland Indians in 2021

With a new year beginning, many are expecting the Cleveland Indians to have a much different year than what they’ve shown in the past. Whether it be the team trying to cut payroll, moving towards a rebuild or anything of the like, the Tribe are being viewed as a non-threat in the upcoming year.

However, the front office of the Cleveland Indians is known for a few things. The first is maintaining a competitive roster at all times. For majority of the last 10 years the Indians have found a way to compete each season, no matter the outlook of the roster.

The second is that they have become known for making mid-season moves. Most years the Indians have made some sort of deadline deal, whether it be buying or selling. Depending on what the team is doing when the time comes this year, then maybe we see this again.

The third is that they’ve become known for finding and grooming talent through the minors, but more importantly, accurately deciding when to call players to the big leagues. Most of the time the Indians moves to call players up is at the right time for all players involved.

So, as we transition into 2021, what can we expect from the Cleveland Indians? Most are thinking this season will be different from the past, but what if it’s not? What if the Indians are still the Indians?

This might seem like a stretch that most fans have pushed out of their minds, but it’s still possible. The 2021 season might be more of the same for the Tribe. It will take a bit more time and effort than in the past, but the goal remains the same for the club moving forward. With that being said, here’s five bold predictions for what to expect from the Cleveland Indians in the upcoming 2021 calendar year.

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.

The Cleveland Indians will trade Carlos Carrasco in 2021

Should the midpoint of the season come with the Cleveland Indians not in contention, then a lot of changes could occur. Even if the Indians are in the thick of things, it wouldn’t be the first time they traded a starting pitcher from their rotation in the middle of the year.

When it comes to the Cleveland Indians roster, Carlos Carrasco is an outlier in more ways than one. For starters, he is the oldest player on the active roster and will be 34-years old when the season begins. Secondly, he’s the most expensive contract currently on the books. Lindor’s deal will surpass the mark, but the reality remains the same.

If the Indians are serious about both getting younger and saving money than Carrasco is the logical player to move during the 2021 season. He’s still a low-cost starter for his ability and could bring in a nice haul.

The plus for the Indians is that they are also notorious for producing starting pitchers through the minors. If there is a prospect emerging as someone who could take over for Carrasco in the rotation than the idea of a trade becomes much more appealing. Whatever the reason for the trade, it seems likely that one involving Carrasco will happen this year.

Nolan Jones will enter the Rookie Of The Year conversation.

At the moment, the Cleveland Indians have a log jam at third base. With Jose Ramirez starting and Yu Chang coming up as a third basemen as well as Nolan Jones, the team will have to get creative in finding spots for them to play. For Chang, he could be the team’s second basemen. As for Jones, the Indians have a plan there as well.

At the end of the 2020 season rumors circulated that the Tribe asked Jones to play more first base and outfield this offseason, two spots where the team will have openings this coming season. Now, Jones hasn’t played in a real game since 2019 and his best experience was 49 games at Double-A.

For that reason, it can be assumed that Jones will start in the minors, if anything to learn a new position. However, once given the opportunity the Indians should expect Jones to blossom.

He’s played well at every level and shown to be a five-tool player. Once given a chance at the major league level, Jones should be able to quickly adjust and enter the conversation for the American League Rookie of the Year. The catch will be if he arrives with enough time to take home the hardware.

The Cleveland Indians will make the playoffs in 2021.

I’ll be honest, of all the predictions on this list this one is by far the most bold and has the least chance of happening. However, should certain events transpire, it’s still a very clear possibility.

While the Indians are expected to run out a much different roster to start the 2021 season, the core of the team will still be intact. Jose Ramirez and Franmil Reyes were two of the bigger weapons on the 2020 team and will return in 2021. On top of that, Josh Naylor started to settle in late last year while Nolan Jones is expected to play at a high level once he arrives.

Like every season there will also be players that unexpectedly emerge. Whether it be prospects from within the organization or players brought in via free agency or trade. Regardless, I have faith in the front office to assemble the pieces to get back to the postseason.

The biggest aspect of this is the pitching that the Indians will return. From their starting pitching to the bullpen, both units should be among the best in the league. The bullpen is another unit that will look a bit different, but the addition of Emmanuel Clase should help bridge the changes. As for the starters, they should be able to pick up where they left off at the end of the season.