Trading start shortstop Francisco Lindor seems less about staying competitive and more about saving money.
Better late than never, apparently. The Cleveland Indians opened the window to trading star shortstop Francisco Lindor two offseasons ago, when his value was sky-high, Major League Baseball finances were good and the incentive for teams to win was higher. And with each passing month, that window shut more and more as the calendar ticked toward Lindor’s free agency, which is set for next fall/winter. And Cleveland watched it happen, opting not to sign him to an extension, instead losing leverage until virtually all of it evaporated. That brings us to Thursday, when the New York Mets didn’t have to do much prying to get Lindor and Carlos Carrasco for four youngsters, none of which appear to be on the path to superstardom like Lindor. Based on the return, the fact that Lindor was projected to make between $17.5 and $21.5 million, according to MLB Trade Rumors, and Carrasco $27 million over the next two seasons, it’s hard to see this as much more than a salary dump for Cleveland. In October, Cleveland also dumped top-end closer Brad Hand and his $10 million club option in another move to shed payroll.
