Ambien Tribe's plan to make the 2020 Indians a World Series contender...

I.) Tenders

Lindor ($16.7) Yes

Clevinger ($4.5) Yes

Salazar ($4.5) No

Naquin ($1.8) Yes

Plawecki ($1.5) Yes

Wittgren ($1.3) Yes

Goody ($1.1) Yes

Cole ($800k) No

Anderson ($800k) No

II.) Options

Kluber ($17.5) Yes

Kipnis ($16.5/$2.5) No

Otero ($1.5/$100k) No

III.) Free Agency

- RF Yasiel Puig 2 years/$21M (with a $15M option for '22 or $3M buyout)

- LHP Drew Pomeranz 2 years/$9M (with additional incentives that kick in a third year)

- RHP Dellin Betances 2 years/$9M (with additional incentives that kick in a third year)

- UT Ben Zobrist 1 year/$2.5M (with an additional $2.5M in playing time incentives)

- C Yan Gomes 1 year/$2.5M ($4M '21 option with $500k buyout)

- RHP's C.J. Edwards, Kyle Barraclough and Pat Neshek would be offered minor league deals w/incentives

Backup options: Tyler Clippard is my plan B if I cannot sign either Betances or Pomeranz. I try to get two of those three. If a deal with Puig cannot be reached getting either Mike Moustakas or Didi Gregorius would be plan B.

IV.) Trades

- In a three way trade the Cleveland Indians acquire INF David Fletcher from the Los Angeles Angels; and RHP's Ryne Stanek and Drew Steckenrider from the Miami Marlins. The Angels would receive RHP Zach Plesac and C Kevin Plawecki from the Indians; the Marlins would receive lottery ticket type prospects from both Cleveland and Los Angeles. The Angels are desperate for pitching and Plesac gives them a young controllable arm. The Marlins get prospects for two arms that they don't need now. Cleveland gives up a good prospect but adds a young controllable infielder and a couple of solid bullpen options.

- The Cleveland Indians acquire OF Delino DeShields from the Texas Rangers in exchange for RHP Adam Cimber and a lottery ticket or international signing pool money. This is a minor transaction but gives the Indians a plan B in the event that Mercado suffers a sophomore slump. DeShields ins't sexy by any stretch of the imagination but his glove plays very well at all three outfield positions and he adds both speed and good base running to the team. He is the definition of a good fourth outfielder.

- I would also offer up guys like Bradley Zimmer, Greg Allen, Jake Bauers, Eric Haase and Phil Maton but I don't imagine their would be much of a market for any of them. If any of them could be turned into potential bullpen arms then I'd go for it. With Tampa's glut of pitching options maybe we could trade Zimmer for a project like Jose De Leon? I'll pencil that into my transactions and the rest of the group I'll just assume minor leagues as depth.

V.) 26 Man Roster

Starters:

C: Roberto Perez

1B: Carlos Santana

2B: David Fletcher

3B: Jose Ramirez

SS: Francisco Lindor

LF: Naquin/Luplow

CF: Oscar Mercado

RF: Yaisel Puig

DH: Franmil Reyes

Bench:

C: Yan Gomes

SUT: Ben Zobrist

LF: Naquin/Luplow

4OF: Delino DeShields

MIF: Freeman/Arroyo

Rotation:

RHP: Corey Kluber

RHP: Carlos Carrasco

RHP: Mike Clevinger

RHP: Shane Bieber

RHP: Aaron Civale/Adam Plutko

Bullpen:

L: Brad Hand

R: Delin Betances (or Tyler Clippard)

L: Drew Pomeranz

R: Nick Wittgren

L: Oliver Perez

R: James Karinchak

26th Man Options: Nick Goody, Ryne Stanek, Drew Steckenrider, C.J. Edwards, Jefry Rodriguez, Hunter Wood, Jose De Leon, James Hoyt. These guys would be riding the shuttle to and from Colombus. Lord knows you can't have enough pitching.

Projected Lineup:

Francisco Lindor, SS (S)

Oscar Mercado, CF (R)

Jose Ramirez, 3B (S)

Carlos Santana, 1B (S)

Yaisel Puig, RF (R)

Franmil Reyes, DH (R)

Naquin/Luplow, LF (L/R)

Roberto Perez, C (R)

David Fletcher, 2B (R)