Cleveland Indians: Three possible destinations for Francisco Lindor

Are the Cleveland Indians and Philadelphia Phillies a match?

This move actually doesn’t make the most sense, but that’s exactly why it just might make enough sense to work. That’s because it involves the Philadelphia Phillies.

Philadelphia did well in signing Didi Gregorius to a one-year/$14 million deal last offseason as the former Yankee shortstop attempted to reestablish himself as an everyday shortstop. He did just that, playing in all 60 games for the Phillies in 2020 and slashing .284/.339/.488 with 10 home runs.

But Gregorius is now a free agent and sure to command a more sizeable contract. The Phillies have also lost J.T. Realmuto to free agency, one of the most talented players available on the market this offseason. With so few high-quality free agents out there, it’s possible that Realmuto gets a deal the Phillies just can’t match, leaving multiple holes in Philadelphia’s lineup.

Trading for Lindor gives the Phillies another superstar to pair with Bryce Harper and may soften the blow a bit for not re-signing Realmuto. But the issue comes in Lindor’s impending free agency. Giving up top prospects for a rental makes no sense for the Phillies, but neither does letting one high-priced free agent walk for financial reasons, only to give that big contract to another.

However, Lindor is entering the prime of his career and his price is low right now. It could be a lot easier to work out a long-term deal with him at some point before next offseason instead of waiting to compete for one of the highly sought after shortstops next winter.