A look at the Indians’ 2021 roster

Breaking down the Indians’ 26-man roster for 2021:

Catchers

Indians starting pitcher Shane Bieber says Roberto Perez is the best catcher in baseball because of the way he calls a game and because of the way 32-year-old veteran frames pitches. Perez is an excellent defensive catcher. He played in 118 games in 2019and 32last season without allowing a passed ball. Perez lost 35 pounds in the offseason. He homered only once and drove in five runs in 2020 after clouting 24 homers and driving in 63 runs in 2019. Expecting him to revert to his 2019form as a hitter is too much to ask. Austin Hedges is best known for his defense. He will likely start 40or more games so Perez doesn’t wear out before what the Indians hope is another playoff run.

First base

Jake Bauers is the first baseman to start the season because he is out of minorleague options. It seems like a silly reason to keep him instead of Bobby Bradley, who clearly is a better hitter. Bauers is 25. Bradley is 24. Bauers might have an edge defensively, but the guessing is Bradley will be recalled from Columbus quickly if Bauers continues to hit .200 and the Indians struggle to score runs.

Second base

Re-signing Cesar Hernandez to a one-year contract solved a problem for Indians president Chris Antonetti. Hernandez rarely takes a day off. He missed only one game with the Phillies in 2018 and one in 2019. He missed only two with the Indians last year while leading the American League with 20doubles. He won a Gold Glove in 2020. The Indians will take a repeat performance. Manager Terry Francona on March 27 described Hernandez as “a quality teammate and a really great player. I’m glad he’s back.”

Shortstop

Andres Gimenez, 22, replaces four-time All-Star Francisco Lindor at shortstop. He is a slick fielder and hit well in spring training — a .282 batting average with nine RBI. Gimenez was acquired along with Amed Rosario plus three prospects for Lindor and pitcher Carlos Carrasco. He isn’t going to hit 30 home runs as Lindor did from 2017 to 2019, but the Indians don’t expect him to do that. He and Hernandez put in extra time in Goodyear working on their double-play combination.

Third base

The Indians offense hinges on Jose Ramirez. He is rock steady at the plate and, like Hernandez, has to be dragged off the field to be given a day off. Will opposing pitchers be able to pitch around him now that Lindor is out of the lineup? We will get the answer to that soon enough. Ramirez is making $9 million in 2021. The Indians hold a $12 million option on him for next season and $14 million for 2023. That makes him very tradeable for the penny-pinching Indians.

Outfield

Eddie Rosario will be the everyday left fielder. He played six seasons with the Twins and loved hitting in

Progressive Field, where he hit 11 home runs, drove in 25 runs and batted .303with 60 hits in 170 at-bats in 45 games.

Ben Gamel will open the season in center field because Oscar Mercado and Bradley Zimmer are starting the season in the minors. Gamel, who previously played for the Yankees, Mariners and Brewers, has 23 career home runs in 442games. Manager Terry Francona used the word “reliable” to describe Gamel. Josh Naylor will start in right field. The Indians acquired him in the trade that sent pitcher Mike Clevinger to San Diego. Naylor is 23 years old and won’t hit free agency until 2026. He has a career .249batting average.

Designated hitter

Franmil Reyes is the most jovial player on the Indians roster. He will have to produce more than laughs from his cleanup spot. He has the power to change a game quickly. The Indians are hurting if he doesn’t hit at least 25homers.

Starting pitching

Shane Bieber had a rocky beginning to spring training, but settled down after two rough starts. The reigning A.L. Cy Young Award winner worked on his change-up to go with his fastball, curve and slider.

Zach Plesac has moved up to second in the Indians rotation. He throws his fastball in the mid 90s. He made eight starts last year in the pandemic-shortened season and posted a 2.28ERA. Aaron Civale, Bieber and Plesac were all part of the Indians’ 2016draft class. Civale was 3-4 in 2019 and 4-6in 12starts last year. He gave up four home runs in 14 1⁄3 innings in the Cactus League. Civale isn’t going to break the radar gun. He relies on a split-change, sinker, cutter and curveball to get batters out.

The rotation gets dicey after Bieber, Plesac and Civale. Logan Allen pitched better than Triston McKenzie or Cal Quantrill in spring training. With five off days in April, the Indians won’t need a fifth starter until games start piling up in May.

Bullpen

Bryan Shaw, Phil Maton, Trevor Stephan and Oliver

Perez will fill the innings until pitching coach Carl Willis gets to the back end of his bullpen. Quantrill will be in the bullpen if he doesn’t make it as a starter at the beginning of the season. Quantrill can always go back to the rotation if one of the starters is injured or falters. Francona said the Indians will be closer by committee with James Karinchak, Nick Wittgren and Emmanuel Clase sharing the load — at least early in the season. Karinchak is likely to get most of the work in highleverage innings, replacing Brad Hand, but Clase is intriguing. He has a 100 mph fastball and wants to close. He is not lacking for confidence.

Bench players

Yu Chang can play anywhere on the infield. He won the job as utility player with a consistent bat in spring training. He batted .250, homered four times and drove in nine runs. Jordan Luplow can play all three outfield positions. The Indians are grooming Amed Rosario to play center field, but the converted shortstop isn’t quite ready.