CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians made the difficult move of trading two-time American League Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber during the offseason to the Texas Rangers for a young reliever, Emmanuel Clase, and an outfielder, Delino DeShields Jr.
The son of a former Major League Baseball player, DeShields Jr. is a five-year veteran with all of his experience coming with the Rangers. Although it was hard to get traded after buying a house and beginning to set down roots in Texas, he is very much looking forward to playing for the Indians.
“It kind of felt like a really bad breakup for a little bit, but after a couple days of reflecting, and my dad played in the big leagues and got traded for Pedro Martinez, so we talked and he told me, ‘You’re not playing for one team. You’re playing for 29 other teams out there,’” DeShields Jr. told 3News sports director Jim Donovan.
“I’ve always kept that in my back pocket. It’s bittersweet, but I’m really excited to be here and be a part of this ball club. I’ve watched from afar. They’ve had great success, and hopefully, I can come in and get us over the hump.”
During the 2020 season, the Indians will look to once again challenge for the American League Central Division Championship after their run of three straight titles and playoff appearances came to an end in 2019 with the emergence of the Minnesota Twins.
Despite not making the postseason for the first time since 2015, the Indians finished 2019 with a 93-69 record, which earned them second place in the AL Central Division, but eight games off the pace set by Minnesota.
The 2019 season marked the fourth consecutive time and fifth in seven years that the Indians finished with at least 91 wins under the direction of manager Terry Francona.
“It’s always, ‘Can’t wait to get back and playing. Just getting out and smelling the grass, smelling the wood and getting dirty, it’s something that I love to do,” DeShields Jr. said. “It’s something that I’ve been doing for a long time and it’s something that excites me.”
In parts of five seasons with the Rangers, DeShields Jr. registered 411 hits in 1,674 at-bats with 108 of those going for extra bases (73 doubles, 17 triples and 18 home runs), 126 runs batted in, another 288 runs scored and 193 walks drawn.
DeShields’ greatest impact came in base running, where he collected 106 stolen bases in 135 attempts.
“That’s the element I bring. I play small ball. I use my legs,” DeShields Jr. said. “That’s probably my best weapon. I just like doing the little things, playing defense, moving guys over. I love running around the bases, so I hope the fans are excited about that.
“I just want to complement the guys that have already been here and had success. I’m not going to come here and try to change the culture. I just want to be a part of it, make my mark, be a part of the family and see where things go.”