Indians shockingly place All-Star closer Brad Hand on outright waivers

Following an early postseason exit at the hands of the New York Yankees, the Cleveland Indians are parting ways with one of the best closers in the business. 

The Athletic's Zack Meisel reported on Thursday that the Indians have placed closer Brad Hand on outright waivers. Hand, who turns 31 years old before the start of next season, has a $10 million club option attached to his rights that will likely be picked up by a different team. 

Once Hand is signed, the Indians won't be responsible for his $1 million buyout.

Hand led the league in saves with 16 during the pandemic-shortened, 60-game regular season and posted a 2.05 ERA with 29 strikeouts (11.9 K/9) across 22 innings of work. He'll be a rather inexpensive rental for a team hoping to contend in 2021, but the Indians will decline his option if he surprisingly goes unclaimed. 

Cleveland's latest decision seems to indicate the team's plan to go all-in on a rebuild that includes additional cost-cutting. The Tribe hasn't returned to the World Series since famously blowing a 3-1 lead to the Chicago Cubs in 2016, and it's widely believed it's a matter of when, not if, the club trades superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor. 

Lindor is routinely linked with the New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels and St. Louis Cardinals in trade rumors.