Cleveland Indians intend on trading Francisco Lindor this offseason

Francisco Lindor is all but certain to be traded this offseason.

On paper, the Cleveland Indians should be gearing up for another playoff run in 2021. With Francisco Lindor still the heartbeat of this team, Jose Ramirez coming off a season in which he was a finalist for AL MVP, and Shane Bieber the likely Cy Young winner, this roster has stars all over this roster. Unfortunately, the penny-pinching front office has stepped in and ruined that unit, releasing closer Brad Hand and putting Lindor on the trade block.

USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports the Indians are hell-bent on trading Lindor away, as they are afraid of both his $21 million salary he’ll receive through arbitration next year and a looming long-term contract extension he’ll warrant after next season.

Francisco Lindor remains one of the game’s best shortstops

While a .258 average and eight home runs in 60 games isn’t the best statline for the superstar shortstop, Lindor is coming off of three-straight seasons in which he totaled at least 72 extra-base hits. Given his skill both as a hitter and defender, history of sustained success in the AL, and electric personality, Lindor is everything Cleveland could’ve hoped for in their superstar.

Apparently learning nothing from the Boston Red Sox handing the Los Angeles Dodgers a title by dropping off Mookie Betts at a discounted price, Cleveland will try to remain competitive without one of the game’s best players in a move that makes even less sense given their success in 2020.

The Indians have one of the best pitchers in the game and two potential MVP candidates in 2021, but they are instead deciding to put checkbooks over championships by trading Lindor away. Unless they get one of the biggest prospect hauls we’ve ever seen, this has the potential to become another variant of the Betts trade.