There may not be a high-caliber player whose name has been floated around in trade speculation in recent years more than Francisco Lindor. The 2019 offseason was no different than the current one, if you look back on all the buzz that surrounded the superstar shortstop last year. Ultimately, he stayed in town.
The Dodgers were expected to be a suitor in late 2019 — obviously, they got their superstar boost through another trade en route to a 2020 World Series championship — and they're probably happy they held on to shortstop Corey Seager, the eventual World Series MVP.
But enough about 2019 Lindor rumors and suitors. RADIO.COM Sports MLB insider Bob Nightengale reports that the 2020 offseason will bring another wave of trade speculation and trade buzz for the four-time All-Star.
Lindor had somewhat of a disappointing year in 2020, slashing .258/.335/.415, all below his career averages of .285/.346/.488. The Indians paid him $17.5 million for 2020 — reduced to $6.48 million due to the coronavirus pandemic — and, like Nightengale said, his projected arbitration salary for 2021 sits over $20 million. Spotrac, alternatively, projects it at $19.5 million.
Whatever the case, for an Indians team that has historically avoided large long-term contracts and would need to provide Lindor with exactly that once he becomes a free agent, it means that moving on from their star and picking up some value in return is the likeliest scenario. This won't come as a shock to anybody.
Several teams make sense as legitimate contenders to be Lindor's new team, so be sure to check out RADIO.COM Sports' own Tim Kelly's landing spots predictions.
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The Indians, who finished second in the AL Central in the 60-game 2020 season, saw five players finish with a higher WAR than Lindor, including CY Young front-runner Shane Bieber and MVP finalist Jose Ramirez.
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