Indians deal Lindor to Mets
Francisco Lindor is moving to a new city and team that is willing to meet his salary demands.
The f our- t i me I ndians All- Star shortstop — one of baseball’s best all- around players — was traded Thursday along with pitcher Carlos Carrasco to the Mets, who have a new owner willing to spend at baseball’s highest levels.
“They did not come cheaply,” Mets president Sandy Alderson said. “What we’re trying to do is create a new reality rather than deal with perception.”
The cash- strapped Indians sent Lindor and Carrasco to the Mets for infielders Andres Gimenez and Amed Rosario, right- hander Josh Wolf and outfielder Isaiah Greene — a move the Indians hope will keep them competitive and capable of ending baseball’s longest World Series title drought.
Dealing Lindor, who’s eligible for free agency after the 2021 season, was inevitable for the mid- market Indians.
For the Mets, landing Lindor is a home run and another major move by hedge fund owner Steven Cohen, who bought the team on Nov. 6 from the Wilpon and Katz families and has pledged to increase spending.
One of his next big- ticket items figures to be signing Lindor to a long- term contract, which is something the Indians couldn’t do.
The 27- year- old Lindor can affect the game with his bat, glove and legs. A two- time Gold Glove winner, he’s a career .285 hitter and averaged 29 homers, 86 RBIs and 21 steals in his six major league seasons — all with the Indians, who drafted him in 2011 and developed him.
Carrasco is one of the game’s best comeback stories, overcoming leukemia to become one of the AL’s steadiest starters. The 33- year- old has a 88- 73 career record with a 3.73 ERA.
With lots of young pitchers, including Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber, the Indians were in position to move a player of Carrasco’s caliber.
He can be replaced. Finding someone to fill Lindor’s shoes will be much tougher.