The Cleveland Indians have finalized their roster for Opening Day.
The Tribe front office made some surprise moves by sending outfielders Bradley Zimmer and Oscar Mercado to the club’s alternate training site.
Mercado was sent down on March 21 and Zimmer faced the same fate on March 26.
These moves essentially mean that Mercado and Zimmer will start the 2021 season in Triple-A Columbus.
It appears as if Mercado and Zimmer have both lost their chance with the 2021 Indians.
Here are three other players who have lost their chance with the big league club as well.
3. Outfielder Harold Ramirez
HAROLD RAMIREZ: STEALING HEARTS, STEALING DINGERS. #JuntosMiami pic.twitter.com/aOjqrz4TDE
— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) June 6, 2019
The Indians do not seem to know what to do with newly acquired outfielder Harold Ramirez.
The Tribe signed Ramirez in late February and wanted to see how we would perform in spring training.
Unfortunately, Ramirez had a miserable spring with only a .167 batting average.
Ramirez has decent power potential at the plate as evidenced by the 11 homers he hit for the Miami Marlins in 2019.
The Indians optioned Ramirez to the minors about a week ago due to his poor performance this spring.
Will he make it back to the big leagues this season?
The odds appear to be slim as the left field and right field positions are filled with big boppers like Eddie Rosario and Josh Naylor.
Ramirez has some talent, but he may be placed in the dreaded “4A” group.
This would mean Ramirez is too good for Triple-A and not quite good enough to stick on a major league roster.
2. Outfielder Billy Hamilton
Question: how fast is Billy Hamilton?
Answer: he just scored from second on a sac fly… pic.twitter.com/7HGVAJAfmt
— Kent (@RealKentMurphy) April 10, 2019
Billy Hamilton has plenty of blazing speed left in the tank.
However, the 6-foot, 160-pound stolen base artist simply did not hit well enough for the Tribe this spring to make the ball club.
In fact, Hamilton only batted .156 this spring and the Indians released him on March 13.
Luckily for Hamilton, the Chicago White Sox picked him up three days later.
The White Sox see value in Hamilton as a pinch runner and the 30-year old made the Opening Day roster.
Hamilton’s time in an Indians uniform was short, but it is nice to see him get another shot with the White Sox.
1. Pitcher Adam Plutko
Adam Plutko, K'ing the side.
Because that's just what Cleveland starters do. pic.twitter.com/SHNJSxt9K4
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 29, 2020
The Tribe traded Adam Plutko to the Baltimore Orioles to save a few dollars back on March 27.
Plutko had a 13-12 record over four seasons with Cleveland.
However, the 6-foot-3 righty did not fit into the Tribe’s long-term plans.
Plutko had some decent moments for the Indians but is overall a pretty average pitcher, as evidenced by his 5.05 career earned run average.
Though primarily a starter with the Indians, it look as if the Orioles will utilize Plutko out of the bullpen.
Hopefully this move will be a good one for Plutko and that the change of scenery will recharge his career.
Wrapping It Up
What player do you think may have lost their chance with the Indians?
Another interesting case is Daniel Johnson.
#Indians OF Daniel Johnson getting some off-season work in out in at @jpsportman3 in Arizona.#OurTribe #Future pic.twitter.com/By1B5BYbDu
— Indians Prospective (@indiansPro) October 21, 2020
Johnson is only 25 years old and seems to have a great deal of potential.
Lots of Tribe fans were shocked to see Johnson sent to the minors after he had a phenomenal spring, hitting .368 with a couple of bombs.
With numbers like that, it would seem the Indians would give Johnson a call-up at some point this season.
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