MLB Trade Rumors: Dodgers, Mets, Reds, Padres Linked To Lindor, Indians Want Final Offers In 2019

Will the Cleveland Indians trade Francisco Lindor before the 2020 MLB season? The answer to that question might be on the way.

According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Cleveland has asked interested teams to submit their final offers. The Indians are expected to consider them over the weekend as they debate whether or not to move one of baseball’s best players.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres and New York Mets have all been linked to Lindor in some way.

Lindor almost certainly won’t be headed to the Big Apple. Rosenthal has reported that New York won’t meet Cleveland’s asking price for a player that might earn north of $40 million in arbitration over the next two seasons.

The Padres have discussed trying to add Lindor, according to The Athletic, even though the team already has Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado on the left side of the infield. San Diego doesn’t appear to be a likely destination for the 26-year-old.

Multiple reports have made note of Los Angeles’ interest in Lindor. The Dodgers have failed in their pursuit of adding another star this offseason, losing out on Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg and Anthony Rendon to other clubs. Last offseason, L.A. was unsuccessful in trying to sign Bryce Harper.

The Dodgers have the pieces to make a trade with the Indians work. Highly touted prospect Gavin Lux could be the centerpiece of a deal, though Los Angeles seems reluctant to part with the young infielder. The Dodgers have one of the best minor-league systems in MLB.

Like San Diego, Los Angeles is already set at third base and shortstop.

Cincinnati could make sense as a destination for Lindor. The Reds and Indians made a significant deal a few months ago when Cleveland sent Trevor Bauer to Ohio’s other team just before the 2019 trade deadline.

MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand first reported Cincinnati’s interest in Lindor. MLB Network’s Jon Heyman noted that Cleveland likes Nick Senzel. The centerfielder hit .256/.315/.427 with 12 home runs and 14 stolen bases in 104 games as a rookie this past season.

Lindor hit .284/.335/.518 with 32 home runs in 143 games in the 2019 season. Since finishing second in the 2015 AL Rookie of the Year voting, the shortstop has made four straight All-Star teams with three top-10 AL MVP finishes.

Lindor is on track to become a free agent after the 2021 season.