Helloooo Cleveland!

Non-tendered by the Phillies, Cesar Hernandez has found a new home. Two days before Christmas, the veteran 2nd baseman signed with the Indians for one year and $6.25 million. In a time many franchises are increasingly cost-conscious, it's worth noting that not only will be earning far less than the estimated $11 million he'd have likely received had he won his arbitration with the Phillies --  but it's lower than the $7.75 mm he made in 2019.

It's not that Hernandez is a bad player; but he may have peaked with back-to-back seasons hitting .294 in 2016-'17. So a pricey 2nd baseman, turning 30, whose name isn't Altuve or LeMahieu just isn't valued as highly these days -- especially with the mega salaries the Phils are paying Bryce Harper, Zack Wheeler and Jake Arrieta -- and a younger, promising alternative in Scott Kingery already locked in.

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