The New York Mets acquired superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor in a six-player trade from Cleveland, announced the teams Thursday. Lindor, a 27-year-old four-time All-Star, has long been rumored to be negotiating and will reach free agencies after the 2021 season. The trade also sends veteran right-hand man Carlos Carrasco to the Mets.
Cleveland will get Andres Gimenez and Amed Rosario, as well as some prospects. Here are the full trade details:
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SS Francisco Lindor |
INF Andres Gimenez |
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RHP Carlos Carrasco |
SS Amed Rosario |
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RHP Josh Wolf |
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VAN Isaiah Greene |
Lindor is set to earn $ 20 million in the final year of arbitration this year, and Cleveland is eager to relocate with the goal of lowering wages for the upcoming season. Cleveland would rather get a package in return than let him run next winter for a draft pick. The Mets, meanwhile, will try to lock Lindor up for a long-term extension.
In 2020, Lindor takes a slight step back offensively during the 60-game lead, hitting .258 / .335 / .415 with a worst career .750 OPS. But the four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove Award winner’s long-term numbers, coupled with his premium defense, are extremely impressive. Carrasco, which turns 34 in March, owes $ 27 million over the next two seasons, including a $ 3 million buyout for the 2023 season. The right hand man – who overcame a leukemia diagnosis in 2019 – recorded a 2.91 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP and 10.85 K / 9 in 68 overs (12 matches).
In the return of Cleveland, the club receives Rosario and Gimenez as the main series for the package, with Wolf and Greene as prospects for minor leagues. The Mets had hoped for a breakout season from Rosario (25), but he stood on career lows and hit .252 / .272 / .371 in 46 games. Gimenez (22) played in 49 games in 2020 (.263 / .333 / .398), despite having never played above Double-A before last season. He can handle one of the midfield positions.
Greene (19) was drafted by the Mets in the second round of the 2020 MLB draft, while Wolf (20) was drafted by the Mets in the second round of the 2019 MLB draft. Wolf and Greene are ranked on the Mets’ top 10 prospects list. It’s surprising that the Mets were able to hold on to both Brandon Nimmo, Dominic Smith and JD Davis, as Cleveland urgently needs more depth in the field.
What is the impact of the Lindor Agreement? CBS Sports experts broke it down on the latest episode of Fantasy Baseball Today. Listen below:
Here are three things you need to know about trading and falling out.
1. The Mets were busy, is there yet to come?
The new Mets owner, Steve Cohen, has his first season in the first season. They brought back starter Marcus Stroman, signed reliever Trevor May to a two-year contract, agreed to a four-year contract with catcher James McCann and have now added one of the elite shortstops in the game to their list .
In addition to all the recent moves, Robinson Cano, second basketsman, was suspended for the MLB season in 2021 after his second positive PED test. As a result, Cano was forced to forfeit its $ 24 million salary, giving the club an unexpected and additional $ 20.25 million for the 2021 season.
All this to say: have the Mets been done this season? Or should there be even more big moves? After all, New York is connected to the leading freestyle center George Springer this winter. Springer would be the latest addition to close a strong offensive outfield, along with Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo. Apart from Springer, there is still the possibility for the Mets to conclude the deal on other top agents such as the starter Trevor Bauer. Bauer, the 2020 Cy Cy Young winner, can help fill in their rotation for the 2021 season. There is also the priority of locking up Conforto sooner rather than later with a contract extension. Conforto, who turns 28 in March, is one year away from free agency. Time will only teach, but I would not close the door completely yet if Cohen cut more checks.
The Mets, under Cohen, hope to return to contention next season after a disappointing 2020 in which they were unable to earn a place in the extended post-season. The Mets led 26-34 and drew for the last place in the NL East in the 60-match season. So far this winter, Cohen has lived up to his commitment to an aggressive opening statement during his first off-season as an MLB owner.
With their busy winter, the Mets have only increased the pressure on themselves for next year. With team president Sandy Alderson and new general manager Jared Porter as the new honchos in New York, they are tasked with fulfilling Cohen’s desire to win a World Series within the next three to five years. feed. In 2021, the Mets want to reach the post-season for the first time since 2016. New York has enjoyed just one wishful season over the past four years, a disappointing run, given a core that includes Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Conforto and Pete Alonso, among others.
2. This is a major setback for Cleveland
Cleveland may have officially lost its chance to win a championship in the foreseeable future. Before the club traded Lindor and Carrasco, he had already lost Carlos Santana and Mike Clevinger in 2020 – all members of the club that ran the 2016 World Series.
Since Paul Dolan, owner of Cleveland, has proven that he is not willing to invest in payroll at levels that suit a contender, serious work is going to be done to return to playoff status. Losing Lindor is a big setback for the club, especially in the competitive American League Central, where clubs like the Chicago White Sox and, yes, even the Kansas City Royals are moving this winter to get better.
Cleveland loses the 2016 World Series in Game 7, loses a 2-0 lead in the 2017 ALDS, is swept in the 2018 ALDS, misses the post-season completely in 2019 and is swept in the 2020 AL Wild Card Series . The franchise has not won the World Series since 1948. The new era for Cleveland is also soon to be commemorated with an upcoming name change.
3. Carrasco provides much-needed rotation depth
The New York Mets needed extra rotation depth this winter, and while Carlos Carrasco is not a big name at best, he will definitely help the club get started. After Jacob deGrom and Marcus Stroman, the delivery is significant. The Mets will be without Noah Syndergaard at least late in the first half of next season, after undergoing surgery on Tommy John in March. There’s Seth Lugo, who is coming off a 6.15 ERA 2020 season; David Peterson, whose rookie season was promising in 2020; and Steven Matz, who avoided arbitration with a one-year deal after a rough 2020 campaign. Carrasco can fill in the number 3 or 4 of the club and deliver reliable innings. Ideally, the Mets will do best with another initial crawl add-on, and there are still plenty available on the market.