The Mets rocked the baseball world and moved their fan base on Thursday with the acquisition of the All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor and pitcher Carlos Carrasco from the Indians in exchange for field players Andres Gimenez and Amed Rosario and the minor leagues Isaiah Greene and Josh Wolf. The shaking transaction raised many questions. You have come to the right place to get answers.
Q: We all know that Lindor can be a free agent after this season. How likely is it that Mets will hire him for a long term before he plays a regular season game for them?
A: At this point, I would harm you by less than 50 percent. Lindor will probably want to see how he enjoys life as a Met before committing to it, and only a Mets seismic offer would change that.
Q: What would constitute a seismic offer?
A: Something that surpasses the 10 year and $ 300 million package that Manny Macahdo (right) got with the Fathers in February 2019. Machado got that package by entering his 26 year season. Lindor will enter his 28-year season in 2022. As a side note, for luxury tax reasons, expect Lindor and the Mets to settle their 2021 salary (roughly $ 20 million) before working on a major potential business.
Q: Well, Mets just gave up two major league shortstops for Lindor, so that would be a fiasco if they didn’t keep it, wouldn’t it?
A: Not necessarily. Remember that next year’s free agent season features a banner group of shortstops, headed by Javier Baez dos Cubs, Carlos Correa dos Astros and Corey Seager of Dodgers, as well as Lindor. In addition, young shortstop Ronny Mauricio remains one of the best players in the Mets secondary leagues. Mets President Sandy Alderson (far left) mentioned during Thursday’s press conference that the team could recover a compensatory draft choice next winter if Lindor went elsewhere, although that is not a guarantee, given that a new Basic Agreement should be negotiated next winter.
Q: Lindor seems to be one of the best players in the game. Are there any potential weaknesses that we should look out for?
A: Here is an interesting fact: Lindor has struggled hard to hit scoring runners for the past two years. He posted a .202 / .295 / .312 cut line with RISP in 2019 and .167 / .288 / .300 last season.
Q: Yes. How does this trade affect the composition of the Mets’ internal field?
A: Lindor’s arrival obviously eliminates any competition for the shortstop spot and places a greater burden on JD Davis (right) to succeed on third base while Jeff McNeil patrols second base. Luis Guillorme can now get more reps on the pitch without people blocking him.
Q: What about Carrasco’s arrival? Does that mean Mets just bought it to start launching?
A: Yes, in the luxury hall. The Mets now have an initial rotation with ace Jacob deGrom followed by Marcus Stroman, Carrasco, David Peterson and Steven Matz, as well as Seth Lugo, who could keep the job he recovered in the middle of last season or return to the bullpen.
Q: It is ironic that Alderson exchanged Greene and Wolf, two of Brodie Van Wagenen’s choices in the highest draft, in an exchange that was universally hailed about two years after Van Wagnenen exchanged Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn, two of Alderson’s choices in the highest draft (for Seattle for Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz), in a negotiation that was universally criticized?
A: I’m not sure if that qualifies as the technical definition of “irony”, but it is something, right.