The Mets shook the baseball world and excited their fan base on Thursday with the acquisition of All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor and starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco of the Indians in exchange for inlanders Andres Gimenez and Amed Rosario and minor leagues Isaiah Greene and Josh Wolf . The earthquake deal raised many questions. You have come to the right place for answers.
Q: We all know that Lindor can be a free agent after this season. What is the probability that the Mets will sign him for the long term before playing as much as a regular game for them?
A: At the moment, I would harm it less than 50 percent. Lindor would probably want to see how he enjoys life as a Met before committing to it, and only a seismic offer from the Mets would change that.
Q: What would a seismic offer be?
A: Something that tops the ten-year package, $ 300 million, is what Manny Macahdo (right) landed with the Padres in February 2019. Machado landed the package at the age of 26. Lindor will enter his age 28 in 2022. As a side issue, expect luxury tax reasons that Lindor and the Mets will settle his 2021 salary (the ballpark estimate is $ 20 million) before working on a potentially big deal.
Q: Well, the Mets only gave up two short stops from the league for Lindor, so it would be a fiasco if they did not keep him, no?
A: Not necessarily. Remember that next year a free agent crop includes a banner group shortstops, with the headlines of the Cubs’ Javier Baez, the Astros’ Carlos Correa and the Dodgers’ Corey Seager as well as Lindor. Young shortstop Ronny Mauricio is still one of the Mets’ leading minor players. Mets president Sandy Alderson (far left) mentioned during Thursday’s news conference that the team could make a compensatory draft choice next winter if Lindor is on his way elsewhere, although that is not a guarantee because a new basic agreement to be negotiated next winter.
Q: Lindor seems to be one of the best players of the game. Are there possible weaknesses we need to address?
A: Here’s an interesting piece of information: Lindor has struggled a lot with runners in the position over the past two years. He posted a .202 / .295 / .312 dash with RISP last season and .167 / .288 / .300.
V: Yeesh. How does this trade affect the composition of the field of Mets?
A: Lindor’s arrival obviously eliminates the competition around the shortstop and places JD Davis (right) a greater duty to pass on the third base while Jeff McNeil patrols the second base. Luis Guillorme can now get more campaigns without people blocking him.
Q: What about Carrasco’s arrival? Does that mean the Mets are done shopping?
A: In the luxury hallway, yes. The Mets now have an initial rotation with bait Jacob deGrom followed by Marcus Stroman, Carrasco, David Peterson and Steven Matz, as well as Seth Lugo, who was able to retain the concert he regained in the middle of the previous season or switch back to the bull.
Q: Is it ironic that Alderson Greene and Wolf, two of Brodie Van Wagenen’s higher concepts, traded in a brand that was widely recognized about two years after Van Wagnenen traded Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn, two of Alderson’s higher concepts (to Seattle) for Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz), in a trade that was universally offered?
A: Not sure if it qualifies as the technical definition of ‘irony’, but it’s something, okay.