Cleveland Indians trade chatter: Francisco Lindor would cost Yankees a ton?

Would Cleveland Indians SS Francisco Lindor cost the Yankees a ton in a trade?

In Cleveland Indians trade chatter, writers of other teams can’t help but imagine what it would be like for Francisco Lindor to be inserted into the lineup of the team they cover.

And with Money Machine at Yankee Stadium always running, New York is being picked as a logical destination for the All-Star.

The Indians probably can’t trade Lindor if they’re in contention, and thanks to MLB’s expanded playoff format, the Tribe should be knocking on October’s door, pending a major disaster.

However, it was interring to read NJ.com baseball writer Joe Giglio, who wrote that it would “Cost a ton” to get him from Cleveland.

This was surprising to read, as the packages for Lindor are expected to go down in value the closer the shortstop gets to free agency.

Giglio wrote a package for Lindor would almost certainly have to include third-base prospect Miguel Andujar, pitcher Deivi Garcia and more!

"“It would be worth it because of spectacular play (119 OPS+, 27.6 WAR, three top-five AL MVP finishes since debuting in 2015) and club control through the 2021 season. The Yankees would essentially be adding one of baseball’s 10 best players for two pennant chases,” Giglio wrote."

Many Tribe fans don’t want to accept the reality that the Indians won’t be able to keep this once-in-a-generating, face-of-the-game talent, and the idea of losing him to the Yankees will only make it worse.

I’d love to hear what Chris Antonetti would think of this package.

Andujar was once an elite prospect and clubbed 27 homers in his rookie season back in 2018. Disaster struck the following year, as hurt his shoulder diving back into a base.

Garcia is the 92nd ranked prospect in baseball, according to MLB.com’s rankings. He pitched in the Future’s Game at Progressive Field a season ago.

Andujar showed great potential, and the Yankees could move on, thanks to the emergence of our old friend, Giovanny Urshela, who’s playing third base like Brooks Robinson now that he’s out of a Tribe uniform.

Again, the Indians can’t trade him this season because they’ve got a shot, but if this offer is on the table this winter, and Andujar shows he’s healthy, Cleveland’s front office would have to seriously consider it.