• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Cleveland Daily

Cleveland Sports News, Rumors & Highlights

  • Home
  • Guardians News
  • Cavs News
  • Browns News
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • About

Who Will Replace Francisco Lindor At Shortstop For The Indians?

By Mike Noblin January 11, 2021 @MikeNoblin

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) in the dugout after scoring on a Yasiel Puig (66) single in the first inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels played on September 9, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA.
(Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire)

 

The day that all Tribe fans have dreaded for a long time finally occurred last week.

The Cleveland Indians traded the franchise’s best player, Francisco Lindor, and one of the team’s best pitchers, Carlos Carrasco, to the New York Mets a few days ago on January 7.

The mood in “C-Town” is a somber one as Indians fans cope with the reality of officially being in “rebuilding mode”.

Nevertheless, Cleveland did receive four decent prospects from New York in the trade.

Who will replace Francisco Lindor at Shortstop for the Tribe?

Here are 3 possibilities.

 

1.  Amed Rosario

Thank you to Amed Rosario. Best of luck in Cleveland. Hope you become an all-star there. #MetsTwitter pic.twitter.com/qHcdnu2nVI

— Manny S. (@MMS0272) January 8, 2021

Readers here at tribedaily.com are probably familiar with this name.

We wrote about Amed Rosario a few weeks ago here: 2 Prospects The Indians Must Get From Mets In Lindor Trade

Thankfully the Tribe acquired Rosario as part of the Lindor trade last week.

Rosario has the rare combination of speed and power that may even remind some Indians fans of the dearly departed Lindor.

The 6-2 Shortstop had a breakout year for the Mets back in 2018 by hitting 9 homers and stealing 24 bases.

The 25-year old had an even better season at the plate in 2019 by hitting 15 dingers and raising his batting average by 31 points.

Rosario would arguably be the most natural fit to take over for the Tribe at the Shortstop position.

 

2. Andres Gimenez

We also mentioned Gimenez in our above article as a decent plan B option if Rosario could not be acquired from the Mets.

Surprisingly, New York parted ways with both Rosario and Gimenez so this leaves Cleveland with more options for middle infielders.

Check out the below video to see Gimenez’s stellar defensive play on display.

#Mets fans gotta be excited by Andrés Giménez on both sides of the ball .. sparkling defensive play vs #Phillies pic.twitter.com/NEw6Gkxca5

— Sports â‘¡â‘£x⑦ (@B_R_R_D) September 7, 2020

The 22-year old is a very versatile middle infielder and can play Shortstop, Second Base, or Third Base.

The 5-11 161 pounder may not have the power of Rosario but the youngster from Venezuela boasts plenty of speed and loads of potential.

 

3. Yu Chang

Yu Chang Clan ain't nothin' to mess with.#RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/P3rterwE83

— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) September 10, 2019

Chang is probably the least likely to take over for the Tribe at Shortstop, but not because of a lack of overall talent.

The 25-year old from Taiwan definitely has the most power potential of all 3 of these middle infielder prospects.

In the Minor Leagues, Chang hit 24 homers in 2017 and 17 bombs in 2018.

However, the Indians seem to prefer him as a Second Baseman instead of as a Shortstop.

 

Bringing it Home

Though last week’s trade between the Cleveland Indians and New York Mets was painful for Tribe fans, the future appears to be bright.

The Indians did well in acquiring Rosario, Gimenez, pitching prospect Josh Wolf, and young outfielder Isaiah Greene.

Rosario and Gimenez have both proven to be ready for full-time Big League roster spots.

Both Greene and Wolf are longer term projects for Cleveland, and will both start out in the Minor League system.

Will either of the former Mets (Rosario or Gimenez) replace Francisco Lindor?

Will Utilityman Yu Chang break into the starting lineup at either Shortstop or Second Base?

So much depends upon how each player performs during the upcoming Spring Training.

    Get ALL the latest Cleveland sports news straight to your inbox! Subscribe to the Cleveland daily newsletter here!    

Filed Under: Cleveland Guardians Rumors And News (Updated Daily), Cleveland Indians News And Rumors (Updated Daily)

About Mike Noblin

I've been involved with sports for over 30 years (Collegiate Baseball Player, Life-long Sports Fan, 20+ years of Sports Betting).

My love of the Indians started when I was 12 years old with the 1995 AL Champion team. (Who didn't love Albert Belle and Kenny Lofton?)

I have always had a deep love for writing and my degree is in Sports Psychology!

I love Jesus, my Family, and all things Sports!

Reader Interactions

Follow Cleveland Daily!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More News

Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana (41) singles to drive in a run during the first inning of the Major League Baseball interleague game between the Philidelphia Phillies and Cleveland Indians on September 21, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Carlos Santana, Kansas City Royals Reach 2-Year Deal

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) on the field during the seventh inning of the Major League Baseball interleague game between the Philidelphia Phillies and Cleveland Indians on September 20, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Report: Indians To 'Aggressively' Listen To Offers For Francisco Lindor

2 years ago

A general view of Progressive Field during the Cleveland Indians Summer Camp in preparation for a shortened MLB season during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on July 19, 2020, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Cleveland Indians Draft Trevor Stephan In Rule 5 Draft

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) celebrates as he rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the second inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians on August 7, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Shane Bieber, Jose Ramirez, Brad Hand Named To All-MLB team

2 years ago

A general view of the Progressive Field scoreboard during the Cleveland Indians Summer Camp in preparation for a shortened MLB season during the coronavirus

Cleveland Indians Top 3 Prospects Of 2021

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Shane Bieber (57) delivers a pitch to the plate during the ninth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Indians on August 4, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Top 3 Cornerstone Cleveland Indians Players Of The Future

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians pitcher Jefry Rodriguez (68) delivers a pitch to the plate during the fourth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Oakland Athletics and Cleveland Indians on May 22, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Cleveland Indians Parts Ways With Pitcher Jefry Rodriguez

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians center fielder Oscar Mercado (35) motions towards the Indians dugout as he rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians on September 17, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

2 Indians Players Who Could Have Breakout Seasons In 2021

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) on the field during the ninth inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels played on September 9, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA.

2 Prospects The Indians Must Get From Mets In Lindor Trade

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians left fielder Jordan Luplow (8) is congratulated by Cleveland Indians catcher Roberto Perez (55) after scoring a run during the third inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians on July 16, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

3 Indians Players With Something To Prove In 2021

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona (77) looks to the dugout as he makes a pitching change after Cleveland Indians pitcher Hunter Wood (54) hit by a ball off the bat of Boston Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland (18) during the sixth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians on August 12, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Is It Time For The Indians To Begin Rebuilding For The Future?

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians outfielder Oscar Mercado (35) is congratulated in the dugout after scoring a run during the seventh inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians on September 15, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

3 Bold Predictions For The Cleveland Indians In 2021

2 years ago

indians logo

3 Indians Players To Watch During Spring Training

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians owner Paul Dolan addresses the crowd prior to the Opening Day Major League Baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians on April 11, 2017, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. Cleveland defeated Chicago 2-1 in ten innings.

Should Paul Dolan Sell The Cleveland Indians?

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians designated hitter Francisco Lindor (12) hits a solo home run during a Major League Baseball game between the Cleveland Indians and the Kansas City Royals on July 27, 2019, at Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, MO.

Grading The Cleveland Indians Francisco Lindor Trade

2 years ago

cleveland indians fireworks

3 Reasons To Believe In The Indians In 2021

2 years ago

progressive field

A Look At The Top 3 Indians Prospects In Their System

2 years ago

indians logo

Cleveland Indians Sign Billy Hamilton And Ben Gamel

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) before an MLB game between the Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals on September 1, 2020 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO.

3 Trade Possibilities If The Indians Deal Jose Ramirez

2 years ago

Mitch Moreland (18) of the Red Sox waits on deck during the MLB regular season game between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays on April 21, 2019, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL.

Should The Indians Pursue Mitch Moreland In 2021?

2 years ago

Indians flag

3 Potential Free Agent Targets For The Indians

2 years ago

Phillies RP Blake Parker (53) pitches in the fifth inning during the game between the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies on August 30, 2020 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA.

Reliever Blake Parker Gets Chance With Indians In 2021

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Shane Bieber (57) delivers a pitch to the plate during the first inning of the Major League Baseball game between the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians on June 9, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH.

Should The Indians Attempt To Extend Shane Bieber?

2 years ago

Cleveland Indians dugout

Cleveland Indians Projected 2021 Lineup (Updated)

2 years ago

Primary Sidebar

Search Cleveland Daily

Follow Cleveland Daily!

Footer

Privacy Policy

Terms And Conditions

Contact Us

Copyright © 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - ClevelandDaily.com is not affiliated with the Cleveland Indians or Major League Baseball.