The Cleveland Indians are officially parting ways with outfielder Tyler Naquin as they have declined to tender him a contract ahead of tonight’s deadline.
Naquin, along with Delino DeShields, Austin Hedges, Francisco Lindor, Nick Wittgren, and Phil Maton are all up for arbitration in 2021, which means the Indians have until 8pm tonight to tender them a contract and agree to go forward with the process. Wittgren is the only one to be tendered so far, but more are expected to follow (including Francisco Lindor).
Spotrac estimated that Naquin would make around $2 million in arbitration, a figure the Indians just were not comfortable with for a player entering his age-30 season who is strictly a platoon bat with a huge hole in his swing.