Ineligible Man Downfield: The inevitable Francisco Lindor trade finally happened
Carlos Carrasco is also headed to the Mets.
Francisco Lindor is now a Met.
It was always going to be the Mets. For that, we should all be thankful.
For one, it’s not the Yankees. It’s not the Red Sox. It’s not the Dodgers. But most importantly, it’s not the Yankees.
If you truly believed that Francisco Lindor would play the 2021 season in a Cleveland baseball uniform, that made sense. If you believed that Lindor would sign in Cleveland long-term, I have some beachfront property in Idaho that I would like to sell you.
On that note, we should all be thankful that Francisco Lindor was dealt to the New York Mets on Thursday because Lindor is going to get paid. As soon as Billionaire Steve Cohen bought a majority share of the Metropolitans in August, the narrative began. Cohen wanted to make a splash, and what bigger splash could be made?
Whether Cohen’s bunch already knows they will re-sign Lindor to a long-term extension is unclear. The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t re-sign Mookie Betts until July after trading for the outfielder in February. They still got the deal done the night before Opening Day, which likely says they knew long before.
But after years and years of the Dodgers being in contention and not dealing for a star on a one-year rental, they did so with Betts. Cleveland got a return from the Mets that was similar in quality and structure (more on that below) to what the Red Sox received for Betts. It’s all pretty similar.
If nothing else, the Mets and Dodgers each said all they needed: We can afford to pay you, and we absolutely will. That show of solidarity was already a given after each gave up considerable packages for the stars. The $300+ million will likely be all Lindor needs.
So be happy that Lindor, who to this point has done nothing to prove to us all that he is as deserving of any for a mega-contract as anyone. Besides that, I’ve got nothing for you.
Amed Rosario was once a mega-prospect, but he has been a major league-average hitter once in four years. He’ll probably be your Opening Day shortstop or second baseman. Andres Gimenez was a 50 FV prospect who graduated last year and was a league-average hitter. He’ll open the season at whatever other position that Rosario doesn’t.
Josh Wolf has major league potential, and you have to give the benefit of the doubt to Cleveland that if they liked him, they can probably develop him. Isaiah Greene becomes the latest in the system’s stockpile of up-the-middle players they hope can pan out just once. Cleveland likes outfielders from Southern California, so they’ve likely had their eyes on him well before he was drafted this season.
Yes, Carlos Carrasco was in the deal too. Like with Lindor, you’re not going to be happy about it at all, but you have to just find solace in that it is better for the player.
Cookie, an exceptionally well-liked player for obvious reasons, is going to go to a position where he can actually win. It is clear that Cleveland does not intend to do so. They are clearly the third-best team in the division, and there are no expanded playoffs in 2021, yet.
These aren't the Manny Acta years, yet. The team maintains they’ll reinvest the money, but outside of extending Shane Bieber, there’s not much else to do with this roster.
Michael Brantley is still well above-average as a hitter, and he could definitely help this team’s outfield. A two-year deal could come with a reasonable salary for both sides. Plus, that’s how long José Ramírez has left in the uniform before we do this dance with him.
Maybe they could buy out Ramírez’s options and toss him a little cash for signing such team-friendly deals. Or they could just trade him too. Just like Carrasco, who did the same.
We all knew it was coming, yet the reactions were as full of vitriol as they would have been had the news been a shock. There’s not a lot to be grateful for here, on the back of 10 months where it was hard to be grateful at all.
Be grateful for Frankie and Cookie. We wish them all of the success they couldn’t find here. — Alex Hooper
ICYMI
Chris Antonetti’s full post-trade comments
The current state of the Cleveland roster
The Steelers won’t have fans in attendance for Sunday’s playoff game
Kevin Love and Jarvis Landry shared their thoughts on this week’s violence in D.C.
Ronnie Harrison has tested positive for COVID-19
It’s not clear if Denzel Ward or Kevin Johnson will be able to play Sunday
Stipe Miocic says he’ll be back in 2021
Some insight into the Cavs’ efforts to keep fans safe
One thing to read today
At The Athletic, Zack Meisel on the state of Cleveland baseball post the Lindor trade ($)
Who we are
Chris Manning: Site Manager at Fear the Sword, co-host of the Locked on Cavs podcast, words at places like Cleveland Magazine and Forbes. On Twitter @cwmwrites
Jordan Zirm: Social editor at @TheCheckdown. Formerly of ESPN Cleveland. Words at B/R, SB Nation and UPROXX. Host of The Rebuild podcast. On Twitter @clevezirm
Alex Hooper: Contributor at Fantasy Sports Insight. Former Cleveland Baseball Club beat writer for 92.3 the Fan (WKRK), and contributor at Sports Illustrated, Let’s Go Tribe, and the News-Herald. On Twitter @lexhooper.