MLB Trades: Five bold predictions for the 2020 season
Predicting Five Bold MLB Trades
The Yankees acquire Francisco Lindor in a trade with the Indians
The Yankees already have one of the most lethal offenses the game has ever seen. So, they wouldn’t possibly make a huge splash for another all-star slugger, right? If you believe that, then you clearly don’t know the Yankees. The rich always want to get richer.
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Francisco Lindor is one of the game’s most exciting young talents. The 25-year-old shortstop has already been an all-star four times and won two gold gloves and silver slugger awards. He one of the rare, pure five-tool players in the league, and he has gotten better every year.
He has also been the subject of countless rumors of MLB trades dating back to last season. His contract is expiring, and the Indians will most certainly not be able to pay him the massive contract coming his way when he becomes a free agent in 2022. But the Yankees can.
As the Yankees appear willing to let Didi Gregorius walk in free agency this offseason, they could realistically chase after Lindor now, rather than wait two years for him to hit the market. Lindor would be a significant upgrade over Gregorius, giving the Yankees more power, speed, and a switch-hitting bat at the top of their lineup.
So, who would they give up? One player that comes to mind instantly is Miguel Andujar. The Yankees 24-year-old third baseman finished second in rookie of the year voting in 2018 before missing almost all of 2019 with a torn labrum. He would be a great, MLB proven slugger to take in return for Lindor. Still, the Yankees would have to give up one of their top prospects as well. Starter Deivi Garcia or outfielder Clint Frazier could be included in possible packages for Lindor.
Lindor’s presence would benefit every slugger in the Yankees’ already potent lineup. Yes this would be one of the most difficult MLB trades to pull off on both sides, and it is very unlikely to occur this offseason. The Yankees have other, more pressing issues to address this offseason.
They are in a position to spend a fortune on one of the top starting pitchers on the market. This could hurt their chances of signing Lindor to a long-term deal, especially since they have to pay Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez in the near future, too.
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However, it is fun to imagine an infield featuring Lindor, D.J. LeMahieu, Gleyber Torres, and Gio Urshela. Opposing pitchers, beware.