5 teams that should start saving money for Francisco Lindor
2. Los Angeles Angels
Imagine this–Mike Trout and Lindor in the same lineup. Now and looking ahead to the next handful of years, the Angels have to start shaping a contending team around the best player in baseball while he is still in his prime.
In case of perfect timing, 2021 is the last year of Albert Pujols’ contract with the Angels. That’s $28 million for this year, $29 million for 2020 and $30 million for that final season that can be dispersed elsewhere. Justin Upton will have one year left on his contract at point, and perhaps more importantly shortstop Andrelton Simmons is slated to be a free agent after the 2020 season.
As of right now the Angels only have six players under contract or under their control via arbitration for 2022. The only locked in commitments, significant as they are, are Trout ($37.116 million) and Upton ($28 million).
If Lindor’s market value reaches toward the 10-year, $300 million deal Manny Machado got from the San Diego Padres by the time he hits free agency, the Angels are in position to make that kind of offer. Unlike the deals given to Pujols, Josh Hamilton and C.J. Wilson in the past, an investment in Lindor for a lengthy period of time has a chance to pay off. With a balance of urgency to win and an eye on big moves in the next few years, the Angels should already have their eye on Lindor.