Cleveland Indians: What Trading for Francisco Lindor would look like
By Ryan Sanders
Reds
The Reds fancy themselves as a contender after signing Mike Moustakas and having a strong rotation in Sonny Gray, Trevor Bauer, and Luis Castillo. Mix in Joey Votto Eugenio Suarez, and Nick Senzel there is the making of a competitive team if things break right. Francisco Lindor would have the biggest impact on a Reds team that is still a few pieces away from contention.
- 3B Jonathan India – 50 FV – $28M
- C Tyler Stephenson – 50 FV – $28M
- RHP Hunter Greene – 50 FV – $21M
Since the Reds don’t have a premium prospect to offer, they are going to make an offer with volume. Greene is a bit of a wild card after undergoing Tommy John last April but is young and still has a ton of upside. India and Stephenson are both first-round 23-year-olds who play valuable positions and have stroked so far in the minors. The Cleveland Indians would likely ask for more flyers in the form of A ballers with talent or AAA performers sans tools but this could be revisited if the Reds are buyers at the deadline.
Twins
The Twins already locked up their SS in Jorge Polanco who broke out in the 2019 season. But the Indians have been talking to superstar Josh Donaldson and are seeking impact. If Donaldson signs elsewhere, the Twins could turn to the Lindor market. Polanco’s 119 wRC+ and average SS defense will play at 3B or 2B. The question is whether the Indians would trade Lindor in the division. That being said, the Twins could offer packages like this:
- SS Royce Lewis – 65 FV – $62M
OR
- RF Alex Kirilloff – 50 FV – $28M OR RF Trevor Larnach – 50 FV – $28M
- RHP Brusdar Graterol – 50 FV – $21M
- 3B Keoni Cavaco – 45 FV – $8M OR Jhoan Duran – 50 FV – $21M
The preference for these deals comes down to your preference on risk. You could put one slam dunk top prospect or a collection of high-risk prospects. Lewis comes with all the tools to be a natural Francisco Lindor replacement but would the Twins be willing to part with him? Remains to be seen. Deal two gives the Cleveland Indians an MLB ready pitcher, a solid RF prospect on a down year in Kirilloff or up year in Larnach, and a pick of two high fliers in Cavaco and Duran.