Cleveland Indians: 5 players whose futures are doomed with Cleveland

5 Cleveland Indians players whose futures are doomed with the club

The Cleveland Indians organization is in a transition phase. Not only is the club going from the Cleveland Indians to the Cleveland Guardians once the season ends, but the roster is in a transformation period as well. The roster began that process last offseason with the exit of multiple big contracts and should carry over to this offseason.

This year has witnessed some of the next wave emerge, setting the stage for the next core in Cleveland. While there’s still plenty of pieces that will need to fall into place, optimism is starting to become a bit easier.

With that being said, there are players on the roster that may not last long into the transition. Whether they haven’t played well, are too old for the future plans, have been outplayed at their position, or a combination of all the above, they won’t be in Cleveland much longer.

Bryan Shaw, RP, Cleveland Indians

This really shouldn’t come as a surprise as the first name on the list. We’ve been in favor of cutting Bryan Shaw for over a month and he hasn’t done anything in that time to change our opinion. While Shaw once had value in Cleveland, that has run out and he shouldn’t be on the roster at the start of the 2022 season.

Turning 34-years old in November, Shaw is much older than majority of the current roster in Cleveland. That paired with being on a one-year deal and you can see why his future in Cleveland is doomed. He just doesn’t fit the trajectory of the club and with his contract set to expire, the stars are aligning.

Even if he does return, Shaw would be spinning his tires. He’s lost his role in the bullpen and younger arms are taking more and more innings, something that shouldn’t change any time soon. While he does lead all of baseball in appearances, appearing in 68 thus far, there’s just not enough talent left to keep his roster spot. Maybe he can catch on somewhere else, but there just isn’t a spot for him in Cleveland’s future.