Cleveland Indians Rumor: Tribe willing to listen to Francisco Lindor offers

The Cleveland Indians are reportedly willing to listen to deals for star shortstop Francisco Lindor.

Veteran baseball writers Mark Feinsand and Jon Heyman are both reporting that the Cleveland Indians are listening to offers being thrown out there for star shortstop Francisco Lindor. Both Feinsand and Heyman are stating rather clearly that there is no plan to move Lindor, but should a deal come up that’s too good to resist, the team would consider it.

Feinsand is claiming the probability exists but isn’t very likely to happen. Heyman, on the other hand, is saying that the Indians would want proven big leaguers back as well. Presumably on top of a prized prospect or young player.

Heyman also claims that Lindor’s trade, if one ever happens, is more likely to occur during the winter meetings after the season is over. The Indians have continued to try to extend him but Heyman believes Lindor wants Mookie Betts money.

Heyman does think the Dodgers are the team with the best chance of landing him. Something Blake Harris of SBNation is also reporting. The talk of the Los Angeles Dodgers going after Lindor is a long time rumored destination for the best shortstop in the Majors. Their interest in the prized All-Star player is well known. Harris is reporting the Dodgers are also interested in fellow teammate starting pitcher Mike Clevinger and All-Star reliever Josh Hader of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Lindor is having a down year, only hitting .267 for the season with an OPS of .764, both dozens of points below his career average. He started off the season slow and had been a huge liability in the lineup until recently. The struggles at the plate have shown the fans that the team can win without Lindor, as they’ve been doing that for largely the entire year.

If Lindor does get traded, fans will be upset, but the return on him maybe franchise-changing.