Cleveland Indians: Five trade packages for Francisco Lindor
The Cleveland Indians are looking to trade Francisco Lindor before Opening Day
As the Cleveland Indians are a small market team, an organization that does not spend lots of money on players, they typically trade away their players before they get too expensive for them to keep. The COVID-19 pandemic has only made things worse for them from a financial standpoint.
As they are unable to afford expensive players, they will look to trade their star shortstop in Francisco Lindor as he’s expected to get in excess of $20 million in his final year of arbitration.
The Indians could keep their star player for one last season and hope to make a postseason run but they ultimately want something in return for him instead of having him walk for nothing.
In the truncated 2020 season that consisted of only 60 games, he appeared in every single game slashing .258/.335/.415 with 61 hits and eight home runs. In his career, he’s slashed .285/.346/.488 with 896 hits, 138 home runs, 191 doubles and 99 stolen bases for a success rate of 78.6%.
He has four all-star appearances to his name with him making the past four consecutive mid summer classic games. He also has two Silver Slugger awards (’17 and ’18) as well as a Platinum Glove award (2016) and two Gold Gloves (’16 and ’19).
As shortstop is a premium position and one of the most important in the game, there will be no shortage of teams lining up for a potential trade that would get Lindor on their ball club. Here is where he could go and what the Cleveland Indians could get in return for him.
New York Yankees
The Yankees haven’t been to the World Series since they won in 2009 and have been inching to get back to the Fall Classic. Perhaps the acquisition of Lindor would help them get over the hump. Incumbent shortstop Gleyber Torres can move to second base to make room for the slick fielding Lindor.
In return, the Cleveland Indians get quite the package for Lindor who’s on the final year of his contract. While Tyler Wade isn’t a very good player, they get a cheap player they can stash on their bench who has yet to enter his arbitration years.
Clarke Schmidt, who just made his major league debut during the 2020 season, is expected to be a solid mid rotation pitcher with swing and miss stuff. In his minor league career, he holds a 3.39 ERA with 132 strikeouts. He’s noted for having major league caliber pitches that can get hitters out.
Luis Gil is another pitcher that the Indians can have out of their rotation and could factor into their plans as soon as this upcoming season. Over four seasons in the minors, he holds a 2.74 ERA and has 264 strikeouts over 149 hits given up in 207 innings.
Estevan Florial used to be ranked among the top 100 prospects in the game but has seemingly fallen out of the rankings in recent years. Regardless, Florial could be a staple in the Indians outfield in the future which the organization has failed to field a major league trio. Florial has slashed .273/.353/.437 with 73 stolen bases.
The Indians tend to love pitchers with swing and miss stuff and they would get a future outfielder that can play for the team for years to come.
New York Mets
There are reports that the Cleveland Indians are hoping that the Mets get involved in trade talks for Lindor although it’s not quite clear why or who they want.
The Mets have underachieved over the past few years and new owner Steve Cohen said in his introductory press conference that he expects this team to compete. Lindor would definitely help the team be competitors and aid in competing against the best in the National League.
Rosario can give the Indians an immediate replacement at shortstop. In four years with the Mets, Rosario has combined for a slash line of .268/.302/.403 with 50 stolen bases while playing some solid defense. Rosario is set to enter his first year of arbitration.
While the Indians’ top prospect is a third baseman himself in Nolan Jones, Cleveland can move him over to first base once he reaches the majors to accommodate Brett Baty. He is seen as someone who has the ability to hit for power at the major league level while playing some solid defense if he can develop properly.
Matthew Alan is said to have the makings of a frontline starter which would enamor the Indians. He has a fastball that can touch 97 MPH and a curveball that’s been given a grade of 60 on the 20-80 scale. He just has to develop his changeup to take the next step in his development.
While they may not get a huge package for Lindor, the Indians get two high upside prospects that if developed properly, can turn into great players. Ultimately, this is a better package than the Boston Red Sox got for Mookie Betts last offseason.
Milwaukee Brewers
***Indians also get OF Tyrone Taylor***
Like the Cleveland Indians, the Brewers are also a small market team although they are willing to spend which can be seen by Christian Yelich getting $215 million extension last offseason.
The Brewers haven’t had a major league caliber shortstop in a long time and Lindor would give them just that. As the Brewers risk losing Lindor after one year, they get two pitchers they can control and can add to their weak pitching staff.
Adam Plutko has experience both starting and relieving and can be controlled until 2024. Phil Maton can be controlled for one less season than Plutko and can be a reliable bullpen piece.
The Indians get someone who can fill Lindor’s void right away in Orlando Arcia. He’s expected to make about $3.25 million for the 2021 season which is a reasonable and cheap price that the Indians can pay.
They would also be able to get four prospects that they can add to their cupboard. While not the best quality, they get quantity in this deal.
Tristan Lutz has compiled a .260/.339/.442 slash line in three minor league seasons and has the potential to be a five tool player.
Aaron Ashby has complied a 3.53 ERA over two minor league seasons with 201 strikeouts. His offspeed pitches, especially his slider, are viewed as plus pitches that can get major league hitters out.
While Corey Ray strikes out a ton, he has power (27 home runs in 2018) and can really run which makes him a solid defensive player that can play centerfield for the Indians.
In 37 major league games over two seasons, Tyrone Taylor has slashed .271/.340/.521 and can play anywhere in the outfield.
While none of the players the Cleveland Indians will get in return will make a huge impact, they go for the quantity over quality here.
Los Angeles Angels
The Angels have been wasting their tenure with Mike Trout the past few years without making the playoffs since 2014. They signed Anthony Rendon last offseason but that still wasn’t enough. While their offense isn’t the problem, it’s the pitching that’s the issue for this team.
Instead of upgrading the pitching, they could go after Lindor to have a superb offense and possess three top offensive players in the league. Lindor would give the Angels a huge upgrade over their former shortstop in Andrelton Simmons who’s a free agent.
To get Lindor, the Angels will be forced to part ways with their top prospect in Brandon Marsh but they shouldn’t be reluctant too as there’s no room for him to play in their outfield. He’s put together a .288/.368/.431 slash line with 43 stolen bases in the minors and his speed will help him play in the outfield defensively.
While he may not hit for a great average, Jeremiah Jackson has an .885 OPS in the minor leagues and can play on either side of second base. Jahmai Jones can form a middle of the infield duo with Jackson once they both reach the bigs.
If the Angels acquire Lindor, they may be able to keep him for the long haul as owner Arte Moreno isn’t shy about handing out big contracts to star players. Also, it only helps that Albert Pujols’ big contract comes off the books after the conclusion of the 2021 season.
Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays have a future star at shortstop in Bo Bichette but they’re looking to upgrade defensively at that position. As the front office has links to Cleveland, they could be enticed to bring Lindor north of the border and hope to sign him to an extension.
If this is what the Cleveland Indians ultimately get for Lindor, Alek Manoah would be the prize. The Blue Jays drafted him with their first round pick in 2019 and he has the makings of being an impact piece in any rotation he’s apart of.
While only 18, Orelvis Martinez seems like he’ll only get better as he gets older, grows and matures. In his first professional season in 2019, he slashed .275/.352/.549 with more than half of his hits going for extra bases.
Meanwhile, C.J. Van Eyk was drafted in the shortened 2020 draft in the second round. He can control his pitches extremely well as he can apparently control the speed on his curveball, which is seen as an advanced pitch. While he can only throw three pitches (fastball, curveball and slider) he utilizes his arsenal really well.
Next. Santana disrespected on multiple free agent lists. dark
While the Cleveland Indians get three future pieces with tons of upside and potential, the Blue Jays get someone who can help them now in Lindor who can really help them compete with the best of the best. After an unexpected postseason appearance, Lindor is what could really push the Blue Jays over the top into a different tier.