AHHHHH! The entire world took a deep collective sigh of relief when at last we could change our calendars over to a new year.
Almost everyone is ready to move on from a tough, pandemic-crazed 2020 year and Indian fans are no different.
Tribe fans are eager to get the bitter taste of last year’s early playoff exit out of their mouths.
What will this new 2021 Major League Baseball season have in store for Indian fans and players?
Here are 3 bold predictions for the Cleveland Indians in 2021.
1. Francisco Lindor will NOT be traded until the All-Star break
With such a slow off-season around Major League Baseball, trade rumors keep surfacing regarding the Cleveland Indians best player, Francisco Lindor.
Both the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Mets have supposedly expressed some interest in making a deal for Cleveland’s All-Star Shortstop.
The New York Yankees swept The Tribe out of the MLB playoffs last year.
Ever since then baseball folks have said that trading Lindor was inevitable for Cleveland.
The Dolan family, which owns the Indians franchise, has often hinted that they simply cannot afford such a high priced athlete.
Paul Dolan Goes Back to the “Enjoy Him” Line Regarding Lindor During Sports Awards Speech (si.com)
One can argue back and forth all day long whether or not it is affordable for the Dolan’s to keep Lindor in Cleveland.
However, the fact remains that all of Major League Baseball is in a “wait and see” mode due to the continuing pandemic.
Also, even though the Tribe may be forced to deal Lindor, the front office still wants to “WIN NOW” if at all possible.
Half of a season with Lindor providing a powerful spark on offense is better than not having him in the lineup for all of 2021.
2. The Tribe will win the American League Central Division
How is this for BOLD?
Even if the Indians do end up trading Lindor at the All-Star break, this team would still have a chance to win the AL Central.
Yes, Minnesota will still be contenders.
Yes, the White Sox are still coming on strong.
But neither of these teams are exactly “world-beaters”!
Neither Chicago nor Minnesota possess the potent offense or dominant pitching staff that it takes to run away from the rest of the division.
With or without Lindor, the Tribe has the pieces in place to stay in the hunt for the division crown.
The Indians may even win the division like they did in 2018.
Your 2018 AL central champs!!! pic.twitter.com/rrGevgapTX
— Dan Poskocil (@danposkocil) September 15, 2018
3. Third Baseman Jose Ramirez will win the AL MVP
Good morning.
Please enjoy this postseason clinching walk-off home run, courtesy of José Ramirez and Tom Hamilton. pic.twitter.com/gJ9ij8GwJP
— Chief Wahoo (@ChiefWahoo47) September 23, 2020
It does not take a brain surgeon to realize that Jose Ramirez is an absolute stud.
Ramirez has ALMOST won the MVP on 3 separate occasions.
The 28-year old had an outstanding 2020 season, especially when you consider he started slow due to a thumb injury.
Ramirez may get back to this 2018 form when he hit over 30 homers and stole over 30 bases (30-30 club).
With numbers like that the powerful switch hitter will once again contend for the MVP award.
Wrapping It Up
Will any of these 3 Bold Predictions come true for the Cleveland Indians in 2021?
Devoted Tribe fans hope that #2 and #3 come to fruition.
As for #1, no one really knows Lindor’s fate.
Tribe fans can only hope for a miracle re-signing of the team’s franchise player.
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