This Dodgers-Indians trade for Francisco Lindor could work

With the Indians ready and willing to trade Francisco Lindor, could the Dodgers be a suitor?

The Dodgers have long been connected with Lindor. Los Angeles trading for the star shortstop entering the final year of his deal wouldn’t be unfamiliar territory for them. Just last offseason they dealt for Mookie Betts under similar circumstances. However, things are slightly different this time around, as LA is fairly loaded around the infield. Corey Seager and Gavin Lux make a powerful double-play combination, and breaking that up in favor of Lindor is a questionable move in itself.

But for the sake of this argument, let’s say the Dodgers favor Lindor over Seager, who’s scheduled to become a free agent in 2021 as well. Or, perhaps, they have another position in mind for one of the three. A move for Lindor wouldn’t cost the Dodgers nearly as much in the 2020 offseason as it would’ve just a year ago.

So, what would it take to pry Lindor away from Cleveland?

If past Indians trades are any indication, it’ll take at least two top-10 prospects to acquire Lindor, or one young MLB-ready player and a top-10 prospect to get the deal done. This is where the Dodgers, with a loaded farm system and best roster in baseball, can deal from a position of strength.

The first deal is simple: Prospects for talent.

In this trade, the Indians get the Dodgers’ second and eighth ranked prospects, per MLB.com. Ruiz is expendable for the Dodgers given the success of Will Smith behind the plate, and gives the Indians an MLB-ready catcher, either as a perennial starter or bridge to catching prospect Bo Naylor. Beeter is a 22-year-old pitching prospect, a position the Indians are lacking in their system.

An alternative would be to swap Ruiz for Smith, if the Indians would prefer more of a “sure thing” in terms of MLB-ready talent.

Smith excelled in the playoffs this season and is just 25 years old. He’s a capable hitter and a bridge to Naylor should the Indians wish to go that route. Busch is the Dodgers No. 4 ranked prospect, but stuck behind Gavin Lux at second base. Meanwhile, the Indians don’t have any rising second base prospects in their system. Problem solved.

Hypothetical trades are never easy, but the Dodgers clearly have the pieces to bring Lindor to Los Angeles should they choose.