Cleveland Indians: Updated Projected Opening Day Lineup

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JULY 26: Third baseman Yu Chang #2 of the Cleveland Indians in his ready stance during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on July 26, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

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With Francisco Lindor gone, here’s an updated look on what the Cleveland Indians Opening Day Lineup figures to look like.

The Cleveland Indians expectedly broke the hearts of their fan base by trading superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor to the New York Mets instead of giving the 27-year-old a much deserved long-term deal.

Now, the Indians franchise is at a crossroads. They still have an MVP caliber bat in Jose Ramirez, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner in Shane Bieber and a solid starting rotation but overall have a far less talented roster with Lindor and Carlos Carrasco gone.

Not to mention, closer Brad Hand and second basemen Cesar Hernandez remain on the free-agent market and are unlikely to return to the Indians while first basemen Carlos Santana signed with the Kansas City Royals.

Thus, the 2021 Opening Day lineup looks in between a fringe contender and team heading towards a rebuilding project.

Nonetheless, here’s an updated opening day lineup projection for the 2021 Cleveland Indians, with Lindor now a Met.

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