The Cleveland Indians have signed free agent second baseman Cesar Hernandez to a one-year deal that is worth $6.25 million.
Well at least one of the grievances have been addressed. After expressing interest in Cesar Hernandez last week, the Cleveland Indians have signed him to a deal per Jeff Passan. Hernandez spent his previous seven seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Cesar Hernandez is a solid addition. Not a big splash, also not underwhelming. Hernandez slashed .279/.333/.408 with an OPS of .741 in 2019 with 31 doubles, 14 home runs, three triples and 71 runs driven in. This was better than his career average in a number of areas. The average line for Hernandez is as follows: .277/.352/.381/.733, 22 doubles, nine home runs, five triples and 49 runs driven in. It is good to see that Hernandez outperformed his career numbers last season. The only question is will he do it again?
The interesting quirk with adding Cesar Hernandez is that it is another switch-hitter in the lineup. The entire starting infield are switch-hitters. In addition to Hernandez, Jose Ramirez, Francisco Lindor and Carlos Santana hit from both sides of the plate. Other players on the roster who also switch hit include Sandy Leon, Greg Allen and Andrew Velazquez. Hypothetically the Indians could trot out four consecutive switch-hitters in their batting order which would provide them with the advantage over the pitcher in every situation. Terry Francona could even deploy Greg Allen in the nine hole and have some combination of Lindor, Ramirez, Hernandez and Santana all bat at the top of the order which would give them five consecutive switch-hitters. If that is a lineup they go with it would be quite interesting to watch the opposing manage try and navigate their way through it.
Good Info and Insight here. TY