Cleveland Cheapskates: Lindor On the Move this Offseason

Cleveland Indians moving on from shortstop Francisco Lindor this winter

by Michael Foulks, Sports O'Clock Writing Team Member

Francisco Lindor with the Cleveland Indians during the 2019 season.

The rumors surrounding the Buckeye State during the last two seasons have come true. The Cleveland Indians have informed teams that they will move on from their star shortstop Francisco Lindor by Opening Day 2021. Now, as we have seen in the past two years, the MLB off-season is a marathon and not a sprint. Lindor will not be traded until the top free agents are signed and teams have a better grasp of how a guy like Lindor will fit into their lineup. The Indians won’t take the first bait either; they know his value and are going to want top prospects and MLB ready players in return.

So what exactly do the Indians want/need from a trade partner, and what are the ideal teams that are going to go all-in on the best shortstop in Major League Baseball? I break it all down for you below:

CLEVELAND INDIAN NEEDS

- An outfield bat: They have rotated through numerous outfield platoons over the course of the last two seasons with the second worst batting average (.194) and the worst slugging percentage in the league (.300).

- Bullpen: This offseason, the Indians are losing their closers Brad Hand and Oliver Perez to free agency. Even though James Karinchak is favorite to take over for Hand, it is no surprise that they will still need major help bolstering that bullpen.

- Infield help: They are desperate for help at second base, and they need a cheap replacement for Lindor. A decent prospect return is likely for this position, but it will be difficult group to watch in the coming years.

29 Potential Trade Partners and where they stand:

ARI: Low

ATL: High (on the steps of WS trip)

BAL: Low (rebuild)

BOS: Highly unlikely (rebuild)

CHC: unlikely (money issues with Bryant and Rizzo)

CHW: high (sleeper team)

CIN: Medium

COL: Low

DET: Low (rebuild)

HOU: Moderate

KC: Highly Unlikely

LAA: High (Mike Trout can’t do it all)

LAD: High (because it’s the Dodgers)

MIA: Low (2020 was a fluke year, rebuilding still)

MIL: Low (focus on pitching)

MIN: Medium

NYY: Medium/High (because it’s the Yankees)

NYM: VERY HIGH (New Owner $$)

OAK: Low (focus on pitching)

PHI: High (NL East up for grabs)

PIT: Low (they make moves to improve team?)

SD: Fernando Tatis Jr

SF: Exceptionally low (Rebuild)

SEA: Low (rebuild)

STL: High (put them over the top in division)

TB: High (have the pieces)

TX: Low (one of worst teams, full rebuild)

TOR: High (sleeper team on the rise)

WSH: Medium

3 Potential Trades

CLE Indians/NY Mets: Lindor FOR Ronny Mauricio (SS)/ Isaiah Greene (OF)/ Tyler Megill (RHP):

Just last week, MLB approved the sale of the New York Mets to Steve Cohen, a multi-billionaire who has said multiple times that he will spend money and make the Mets winners again. What better way to start his ownership off than trading for the best shortstop in the game and then signing him long term? This would tremendously help the Mets lineup and immediately be an upgrade for the infield which could be a lot better. On the Indians side, they get the Mets #1, #10 and #28 prospects and fill the needs of the positions for the future.

CLE Indians/ NY Yankees: Lindor FOR Clarke Schmidt (RHP)/ Clint Frazier (OF)/ Anthony Volpe (SS):

General Manager Brian Cashman is a wizard when it comes to making trades. Back in 2017, he completed trades for then-MVP Giancarlo Stanton for dimes and nickels, Gio Urshela for $25,000 and Luke Voit for a pitching prospect. Even though there does not seem to be any room for Lindor, the Yankees would make room for him. I would never count the Yankees out for major star players. Be ready for the rumors. The only question for the Cleveland Indians is: are the Yankee prospects talented enough for Lindor?

CLE Indians/ TB Rays: Lindor FOR Xavier Edwards (2B/SS)/ Brent Honeywell (RHP)/ Josh Lowe (OF):

Tampa Bay stays within their budget and produces amazing results on the diamond. They hate to spend money, but my guess is they are willing to trade top prospects to claim their first ever championship and Lindor can put them over the top. This is a win-win trade for both sides as the Rays would get Lindor and the Indians would get quality prospects. Sometimes you must give up great prospects for a ring.

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