This isn't going to be pretty. I'm going to imagine ownership has given me a $40M cap on the year. I'm focused on bringing in upper minor league talent through trades with no big FA signings. I'm fully building for 2022 and beyond. 2021 is left as a transition year but I think that's best for the team's future. Sure, I could've been more creative with some of the moves but I don't think that's realistic with our conservative FO.

Arbitration-eligible:

• Austin Hedges – $3.0M - Tender
• Nick Wittgren – $1.5M - Tender
• Delino DeShields – $2.1M - Tender
• Francisco Lindor – $19.0M - Tender
• Phil Maton – $700k - Tender
• Tyler Naquin – $1.8M - Nontender
• Adam Cimber – $800k - Nontender

Contract options:

• Carlos Santana: $500k buyout
• Brad Hand: $1MM buyout
• Domingo Santana: $250k buyout

Free agents:

• Mike Freeman - 1yr / Vet Min $575k
• Jonathan Villar - 1yr / $1M

Trades:

1) Indians Receive: Austin Martin CF, Jordan Groshans 3B, Simeon Woods Richardson RHP, Adam Kloffenstein RHP, Gabriel Moreno C

Blue Jays Receive: Francisco Lindor SS, Carlos Carrasco RHP

Reasoning: Toronto won't want to tear apart their MLB core and are in win now mode. I could've kept Cookie out and just went with Gurriel, Groshans and a minor leaguer like the rumors going around but that's no fun. Here is a true blockbuster where we get our future all-star CF and a high ceiling bat in Groshans. Woods Richardson and Kloffenstein are pieces that continue to reload the system with more and more pitching depth. I hate losing Lindor and Cookie as a fan and will just leave it at that. I have a budget to stay under.

2) Indians Receive: Bryce Ball 1B

Braves Receive: Logan Allen LHP

Reasoning: Allen is blocked here and a team like the Braves need to bolster their pitching staff. Ball is a true 1B only prospect with huge power potential. We badly need a prospect like this in our system. He starts in AA with a 2022/2023 debut in mind.

The 25-man roster:

• SP1: Bieber - $575k
• SP2: Plesac - $575k
• SP3: Civale - $575k
• SP4: McKenzie - $575k
• SP5: Quantrill - $575k
• SP Depth: Hentges, Moss, Mejia, Woods Richardson, Kloffenstein, Morgan, Morris
• Bullpen: Clase - $575k, Karinchak - $575k, Wittgren - $1.5M, Sandlin - $575k, Nelson - $575k, Maton - $700k, Plutko - $575k
• Bullpen Depth: Jefry, Hill, Scott, Broom, Robinson
• C: Perez - $5.5M
• 1B: Bradley Jr - $575k
• 2B: Villar - $1M
• 3B: Jose - $9M
• SS: Chang - $575k
• LF: Naylor- $575k
• CF: DeShields - $2.1M
• RF: Johnson - $575k
• DH: Reyes - $575k
• Bench: Hedges - $3M, Luplow - $575k, Mercado $575k, Bauers - $575k, Freeman - $575k
• Position Player Depth: Jones, Miller, Zimmer, Tom, Clement

Payroll Total: $36M

Summary: This team probably wins 80 games at best but my hope is that the pitching staff continues to be dominant and some of the younger guys can step up and develop into every day talent with actual playing time. By the end of the year we'll have a clearer picture on who to build around for the future. We'll be back to being playoff contenders in 2022 with our younger options graduating from the farm and more money available through the new TV deal to sign a couple free agents where needed.
2022 Debut Candidates: Martin, Arias, Freeman, Groshans, Valera, Naylor, Ball