The New York Mets are in agreement to trade for Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor. Lindor, 27, is a four time All Star, and was one of the key players who helped bring Cleveland to the World Series in 2016. The Mets will also receive pitcher Carlos Carrasco.
Going back to Cleveland are shortstops Amed Rosario and Andres Gimenez, pitcher Josh Wolf and outfielder Isaiah Greene.
Lindor joins a loaded Mets offense, joining the likes of Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, Michael Conforto, Dominic Smith, Brandon Nimmo, J.D. Davis, and James McCann. Carrasco will aid a rotation headlined by Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman, and David Peterson.
Carrasco missed a big portion of the 2019 season while battling Leukemia, however he came back during the season and won AL Comeback Player of the Year. Carrasco is under contract through 2022, which is important for the Mets, as pitchers Noah Syndergaard, Marcus Stroman and Steven Matz are all free agents after the 2021 season.
Cleveland receives two young shortstops in Amed Rosario and Andres Gimenez, along with the Mets number nine and ten prospects, pitcher Josh Wolf, and outfielder Isaiah Greene. Gimenez and Rosario will immediately find themselves competing for a starting spot in the Indians lineup, likely as middle infielders. Along with them is second round pick in 2019 Josh Wolf who is one of the Mets top pitching prospects. The final piece going to Cleveland is outfielder Isaiah Greene, a 2020 3rd round pick. Both Wolf and Greene will take time to develop, and will not make any impact in the near future on the Major League team.
The Cleveland Indians have been actively looking to trade Lindor since last year, as they have publicly stated that they would not be able to retain him after his contract expires. Being a small market, trading Lindor wasn’t a choice for Cleveland.
With new ownership and a new General Manager, the Mets are looking to contend in the immediate future after four consecutive seasons missing the playoffs. The Mets will also have to retain Lindor, as his contract expires following the season.
Meanwhile, the Indians get younger, while also shedding some salary as they ship out another franchise star, having sent Trevor Bauer to the Cincinnati Reds, and Corey Kluber to the Texas Rangers in recent seasons.
Image: AMNY
