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.

Daniel Johnson, OF, Cleveland Indians

Cleveland’s outfield is becoming overcrowded and while Daniel Johnson might not have been provided a fair look, he might end up as the odd man out. He’s only 26-years old and has multiple years of team control remaining, but the production just hasn’t been enough for him to make a case to stick around.

The outfield in Cleveland is starting to come a bit into focus. Myles Straw is looking impressive in center field while Harold Ramirez seems like a strong option for a corner outfield spot. Josh Naylor had started coming into his own before his injury and Bradley Zimmer has shown flashes that could keep him around for another season or two if he can sustain it. There’s plenty of other options to consider as well that are either already in Cleveland or rising in the ranks.

Normally a team won’t carry more than four, maybe five, outfielders. With the thought that, if healthy, those four are the top contenders for playing time then Johnson might be out of options with this club. It doesn’t help that Mercado has seemed like the preferred depth play.

Johnson has been improving a bit, so his trade value might be up this offseason. There’s a chance that Cleveland listens to offers on him based purely on the mass amount of outfielders the team has to sort through.

Yu Chang OR Owen Miller of the Cleveland Indians

We’re cheating the system a bit here. There’s a roster spot in 2022 for either Yu Chang or Owen Miller, but not both. The two players provide essentially the same role and it’s one that better prospects will soon be ready to fill.

More from Away Back Gone

• Cleveland Guardians tantalizingly close to locking up AL Central tiebreakers
• Cleveland Guardians: Terry Francona becomes meme in profanity-laced ejection
• Say goodbye to defensive shifts and hello to bigger bases, pitch clock in 2023
• Cleveland Guardians: Shane Bieber second-fastest to 800 strikeouts in major-league history
• The next week will make or break the Cleveland Guardians’ season

Chang and Miller have provided depth at first base with the option to play anywhere in the infield. The anywhere in the infield part could soon be filled by Gabriel Arias or another prospect. As for first base, a healthy Josh Naylor can play that role, and might be needed to due to the aforementioned overcrowded outfield.

Given their experience and the fact that service time doesn’t matter as much, Chang or Miller could stick around. However, it doesn’t make too much sense to keep both to play the same role. The only question is which one stays and which one goes?

Chang has been the better player at the plate overall this season, but Miller has shown a bit of life of late and we saw earlier this season in Triple-A Columbus what can happen if he gets hot. Chang would provide more stability, but Miller has just a bit more upside. It just really depends on what the front office views as more important to the progression of the club.