MLB Trade Rumors: Dodgers Eyeing Francisco Lindor, Corey Seager Could Become Available

The Los Angeles Dodgers had yet another disappointing end to their season, this time losing in the NLDS. With seven straight trips to the playoffs and no championships to show for it, the franchise is reportedly prepared to explore making a blockbuster trade in the 2019-2020 MLB offseason.

According to MLB.com’s Jon Morosi, the Dodgers are “expected to pursue a trade” for Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor. The infielder is among the best players in baseball and might be available at the right price.

Los Angeles doesn’t exactly need a shortstop with Corey Seager under contract for two more seasons. The 2016 NL Rookie of the Year played 134 games in 2019 after missing most of the 2018 season, hitting .274/.335/.483 and tied for the league-lead with 44 doubles.

Morosi suggests that a deal for Lindor would make Seager a trade candidate. The Dodgers could also shift Seager to third base and move Justin Turner to the other corner infield spot. Turner hit .290/.372/.509 in 2019.

The Dodgers led the National League with 886 runs, 279 home runs and a .810 OPS. That offensive success didn’t translate to the playoffs. Los Angeles scored just 22 runs with a .220 team batting average in the NLDS, where they were upset by the Washington Nationals in five games.

The Indians control Lindor for two more years before he can hit free agency. The 25-year-old will almost certainly sign a lucrative contract elsewhere, making it a high possibility that Cleveland will trade Lindor at some point before the 2021 trade deadline.

“Enjoy him,” Indians owner Paul Dolan told The Athletic in March when asked what advice he’d give to fans that were already concerned about losing Lindor. “We control him for three more years. Enjoy him and then we’ll see what happens.”

Since finishing second in the 2015 AL Rookie of the Year race, Lindor has made four straight All-Star teams. He finished ninth in the 2016 AL MVP voting, followed by a sixth-place finish in 2017 and a fifth-place finish in 2018.

Lindor hit 284/.335/.518 with 32 home runs and 22 stolen bases in 143 games this past season.

The Dodgers came up short in both the 2017 and 2018 World Series. Los Angeles has averaged over 100 wins in the last three seasons.