In a lengthy piece for The Athletic, Zack Meisel charts the different courses the Indians could take with regard to the contract status of star shortstop Francisco Lindor (link). As Meisel takes pains to point out, Lindor has taken a chilly posture to the idea that he would offer his club a discount in potential extension talks. Besides speaking vocally in support of 2018 free agents Manny Machado and Bryce Harper securing “every single penny that they can get“, Lindor was blunt in stating during the 2019 preseason that Cleveland would need to pay him full value if the club is interested in preventing him from reaching free agency after the 2021 season. “Who knows?” Lindor replied to a gathering of reporters during Spring Training when asked if a longterm extension would interest him. “Can you afford to pay me? If you pay me, I’ll stay.” Noting that the Indians have never signed a contract north of $60MM (Edwin Encarnacion in 2016), Meisel wonders if the time may be ripe for the club to consider trade options involving the 25-year-old shortstop.
While the writer ultimately seems to lean toward the idea of keeping Lindor, allowing him to play out his last two arb years, and then living with the possibility that he leaves in 2022, it is tantalizing to imagine the interest Lindor’s name could stir up on the trade market. As a mid-20s, up-the-middle player with five consecutive seasons of four-plus fWAR valuations, Lindor remains one of the game’s steadiest producers and most marketable stars.
More notes from around the American League in advance of Game 2 of the World Series…
- In an attempt to rid themselves of the current legal quagmire surrounding their new ballpark project, the Athletics have offered to either buy out the city of Oakland’s half share in the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum site for $85 million or enter into a long-term lease, per Phil Matier of The San Francisco Chronicle (link). The team has offered a “community benefits package” to the city that includes affordable housing provisions and apprenticeship programs, with the expectation that the city drops its lawsuit against Alameda County in return. Alameda County, which holds the other half share of the Oakland Coliseum site, recently offered to sell its own half share to the A’s, but a city-initiated lawsuit has stalled that potential agreement. Work on the new Oakland Ballpark is expected to begin in the city’s Jack London Square area in 2021.
- Rays manager Kevin Cash was honored as one of Sporting News’ several award recipients today, with the outlet naming Cash as American League Manager of the Year (link). Cash was tasked in 2019 with a roster chock-full of trade acquisitions and overlooked players, ultimately leading Tampa to a 96-win season and an ALDS berth. Cash also deserves credit for getting his guys to surmount injury trouble–just two Rays players appeared in over 140 games–although there was another manager in his division who was tasked with some truly Herculean challenges with regard to roster management in 2019. Yankees manager Aaron Boone could be seen as something of a snub for this honor (which is not to be confused with the BBWAA awards that receive far more coverage and recognition) after his Bombers sent an MLB-record 30 players to the injured list en route to an AL East title in 2019.
Work expected to begin on Oakland ballpark in 2021? That would be exciting news for a’s fans (BOTH OF THEM!) but come on folks, it’s not gonna happen. No access, toxic waste at site and city doesn’t have funds to support massive infrastructure upgrades needed (gondolas over the freeway???)
Idiot alert above
This guy’s just an SF native who despises the A’s. Actually impressive how the A’s live rent free in this dudes head.
There’s no phrase I love more than “living in your head rent free”. Twitter does some things right.
Go to an AA meeting they say it all the time
It’s free real estate
Well you can’t blame a SF fan for being upset because its going to be a long 4 years to rebuild the team.
flags fly forever.
a’s haven’t even won an lcs game since 1992.
and by the time they finally manage to, team will probably be in vegas
Oakland has 4 flags. SF only 3 so you will be waiting a long time to catch up…
It’s pretty convenient to site the last 20 years of success and ignore the previous 40 years of futility.
so one-note and corny too
Lol good one statboy, in case u missed it the new stadium costs are being privately funded (in part by getting sold the Coliseum site at an affordable price). Also there’s plenty of road access, and the walk from 12th street BART is basically the same distance as the walk from the Embarcadero to Oracle Park. The gondola idea was stupid tho I’ll give u that
The A’s are actually paying more for the land than they probably need to. The Coliseum Complex is subject to the Surplus Land Act. It has to have certain amounts of affordable housing, mixed-use retail and open park land. The plan the A’s offered actually meets all of those requirements.
And I don’t think the gondola idea is that stupid. It’s cool, and isn’t the only improvements they intend to make to make the park easier to access.
Wow, must have taken all of your brain cells to write this one out. BOTH OF THEM!
And there is better access to Jack London Square than there is to Oracle Park. That doesn’t seem to bother GIants fans much.
Old material
I live in Oakland now, but a Boston fan, n I am so happy for the As fans!
Tear down Mt. Davis, overhaul the drainage and infrastructure, give some cosmetic touches i.e. narrowing the LF and RF stairs and HEY you’ve got a nice ballpark!
I hope they do tear down Mt. Davis at some point during the HT building process. Give us something to enjoy along with the team on the field. I was too young to remember that view of the Oakland hills.
I know a lot of Yankee haters are going to jump on me for that but if Aaron Boone Who won a combined 108 wins when you count the regular season and postseason after sending a major league record 30 players to the injured list does not win the manager of the year award I demand a recount.
Boone did a great job, but also had WAY more money to work with than the Rays. The Rays mixed and matched players all year from the garbage heaps of other teams. The Yankees had tons of all-stars already, but some of them got hurt. I know I’m biased as a Rays fan, but I don’t see how Boone is significantly more deserving than Cash.
I’d happily throw Rocco’s name in there for discussion too
Rocco has my vote
In consideration of the massive roster salary, “supplements” provided to each player for “strength and conditioning”, sweetheart trades gifting prospects to the Empire for next to nothing, highly elaborate sign stealing systems, and money paid to opposing pitchers (ARoid admitted this), Boone does very little “managing” the Yankees. To even mention a Yankee manager or GM as a serious candidate for any award is just absurd.
I think if the roster is hamstrung (2which it almost never is), or if there’s an A-Rod type(s) making the clubhouse really challenging then a Yanks manager perhaps gets his/her due. (I had Joe G. as quite deserving during some of his tenure; guy did well with an old and challenging roster.)
Money paid to opposing pitchers!!??
Really!!??
With the fire power in that line up (even with the injuries!) and bullpen they had, Doink the Clown could of managed that team to 100 wins.
Having a chance to beat Toronto and Baltimore nearly 30 times will aid in their quest to reach 100 wins.
Doink the clown? And old wrestling fan in the house!
Kevin Cash is, easily, the most deserving MOY.
Better yet it was Cashman who gave him the players n prolly did more. Boone doesn’t impress me AT all. Cashman made n ran the team.
I think it’s funny that Oakland has already lost the raiders to Las Vegas. They could be losing the As to Las Vegas. Oh yeah, the warriors are heading back to San Francisco.
One horse town and a bart
they didn’t lose the Raiders. Mark davis con all those fools in Vegas. When the Vegas home owners see that they will be paying over $1000 for every home to get the raiders to Vegas they will be upset. Would I pay a extra $1000 in taxes so a team can stay in the bay area? NO WAY. Just stupid people paying the rich elites.
Nice try, Skippy…. “Contrary to popular belief, the stadium will not be funded by direct taxes on Las Vegans – instead, funds will be drawn via an increase on the tax on hotel rooms.”.
“Nice try, Skippy…. “Contrary to popular belief, the stadium will not be funded by direct taxes on Las Vegans – instead, funds will be drawn via an increase on the tax on hotel rooms.”.”
Quite how further taxing the hard working prostitutes of Las Vegas is going to improve the situation is utterly beyond me.
Yankees set the record for most players on the IL during the season. This was the first year for the IL. Anyone that led the league would have set the record.
Speaking of teams living rent free in somebody’s head…
“Speaking of teams living rent free in somebody’s head…”
Says the guy with the Yankee token.
angels might be on top of the il list.
Make the DL great again!
FFS just trade Lindor. I wish the MLB would take on the silly, narcissism of the NBA in terms of trading off players when they become entitled to their insane salaries. Let’s quit pretending players are “loyal to the club” when they’re clearly in it for the contracts. Obviously there’s exceptions; Votto, Gwynn, Pedroia, etc., but for the vast majority they couldn’t careless about the actual teams they’re on if another offers them a couple extra million on their contracts. And frankly, I think 99% of people would do the damn same in their cleats!
Cleveland should take the cue and send that dude off. He’s 25, elite player at a dynamic position. He wants Yankee money, let him take Yankee money because Lindor is worth a haul of prospects which can help out those lacking aspects in their lineup.
It’s funny when I hear MLB Network guys talk about if guys are going to sign somewhere for the ring, though, when I know they know they care about the rings they will be able to afford over the ones they can earn.
Lindor’s great but not a lot of good teams in need of a shortstop. Hard to find a good deal.
You can double your money by doing the Houston and San Diego method of having their short stop and third baseman as natural short stops
Houston and San Diego method…Really…..the Yankees have been only drafting infielders who were natural shortstops for years so either they started the trend or smack in the middle….the Astros lost over 400 games in 3 years not so far back this decade and the Padres if following this model have not seen any benefits so far.
The Astros did not lose over 400 games in three years. Their worst three year stretch totaled 324 losses.
Wow sorry…it took them 4 years to lose 416 games…..a major correction to my comment…..324 losses in 3 years. Really big difference there Baji
Yankees if they don’t resign Didi.
Gleyber Torres
Hopefully the Yankees target front line pitching first, but if they do call Cleveland about Kluber for example, you could thoroughly expect them to talk about expanding the talks to include Lindor…..that means no Didi, bye to Wade, Encarnacion, probably a trade of Happ if possible and the inclusion of much of the farm systems better prospects…..whether its worth it or not….time will tell, but for my money, call about Kluber first.
I disagree. A player of his caliber is a good fit (upgrade) for any team and said team that would sign him can easily make it work. Dodgers, Padres, Astros, Yankees have a good track record in doing so.
The only really issue I can see with taking on Lindor is if you want to sign that extension for the 9 figures he’ll easily get. But any team with a shot at contending will find a way to put this guy in.
There is no way the Yankees have the prospect capital to acquire him prior to his free agency. At which point, we all know they have more than enough cash to sign him to a lengthy and expensive contract
I’m an adamant anti-Yankee fan so excuse my ignorance on anything about the team’s farm system, but I am hard-pressed to believe they don’t have the prospects versus they don’t have an excess amount they’d like to trade for Lindor.
Regardless, I was using NYY as symbolism for big market teams looking for a big time All-Star to place at the top of their lineup. I really feel there are other teams who would definitely make a big trade to get him on their squad.
True….to say the Yankees don’t have the prospect capital is just ignorance about the Yankee system…it may not have the quantity of prospects other systems have but definitely guys that can fill out a trade…..and beside, it depends on what needs Cleveland has and wants to supplement either their farm or on the major league level….one mans coal is another mans diamonds…..and they just signed a $5.6 million dollar hot shot that might never be destined to play a single game for the Yanks and he will definitely draw interest from any team involved in a trade possibility with the Yankees.
Fangraphs ranked the 30 MLB teams after the 2019 draft and the Yankees ranked 21st. Bleacher Report’s most recent ranking was after the 2019 season and the Yankees ranked 19th. 19th and 21st show that the Yankee system is not stocked.
Rocky7, Cleveland is a contender like the Yankees for 2020 so they are not looking for a 16 year old prospect as the centerpiece. They want MLB ready talent at positions of need. They do not need a catcher or DH which eliminates Andujar, Sanchez, and Frazier. The Indians value defense. Cleveland’s strength is starting pitching so they don’t need Garcia. Besides at 5 feet 9 inches it is debatable whether he will last as a starter. Some scouts believe he will end up a reliever. So tell me Rocky 7, who are the Yankees sending to the Indians for Lindor?
As an Indians fan, I’m really torn about Lindor. I used to think there was a chance (albeit a very small one) of him sticking around long-term, but it’s been pretty clear for a little while that in 24 months he’ll be preparing to join a new team no matter what the Indians do in the meantime.
The question is this: do you trade him now (when he’d bring back nearly a Godfather-type return in which pretty much no one is off limits) and try to convince yourself that you can maybe contend for a one game playoff in a stacked American League? Do you keep him next year and try to make another serious run around a team with better health and hopefully a few external additions, and then trade him if that doesn’t work out even if the return would be a reasonable amount less? Do you keep him until the deadline in 2021 and flip him for about what the Orioles got for Machado, even if it means punting on the rest of 2021? Do you keep him for the next two years and try to win a title, then take the compensatory pick when he leaves?
It’s a really tough balance. If the Indians didn’t have the infrastructure of a really competitive team (they missed the playoffs and have some holes but still have a terrific rotation and a couple of intriguing position players), it would be easier to trade him now and get a wealth of talent back. It’s also tougher because it’s been SO LONG since they’ve won a title, so you can’t even think about squandering that’s opportunity. It really boils down to how much talent you could get back vs. how close you think you are to winning a title within the next year or two.
I’m rambling a lot here, but I think I’m leaning toward keeping him for 2020 and trading him next offseason. You could still theoretically get a lot next year for him (although definitely not as much), but I think it’s worth it to give this roster one more shot and bring in a hitter or two, then hope for better health.
Trade the idiot.
I agree – Key Sox traded to San Diego.
Solid input!
It really is a tough decision just because of our fan base and the history of losing our best and fan favorites to trade and free agency. Normally I would be fine with the idea of taking a run at it in 2020 and seeing what happens and then either trading him before or at the deadline in 2021 depending on results with just about anyone but not Lindor. I see him as the only player in the past 30 years that truly justifies breaking away from the teams normal policies and offering a big contract. He is the face of the franchise right now and they should be doing everything they can to keep him.
The issue is if they don’t make a legitimate offer and either trade him or let it ride out until free agency they risk destroying the fan base. It will be a PR nightmare if the same thing that happened with Brantley last year happens with Lindor but 10 times worse. There would still be fans upset he is traded or leaves in free agency but if it is a situation like Harper last year where the team offered him a deal for something similar to Arenado’s 8/260M and he turns it down because he wants to test free agency then it is a lot easier of a pill to swallow because they made a legitimate offer to keep him.
Don’t forget that Santana ad Kluber are free to walk after next year. That would have to have some impact on any decisions the Indians make.
Both Santana and Kluber have club options for 2021.
Lindor to the Angels for Andrelton Simmons.
No.
It would take a lot more than Simmons
Yeah, definitely have to include Jo Adell plus more.
Indians cannot afford to take on Simmons contract.
You’re joking, right?
Simmons is signed for a total of $28 million the next two seasons; Lindor is projected to make almost $17 million next year alone.
The A’s have had 25 years of stadium proposals that have fallen through and every new stadium proposal is a done deal. I will believe it when there is a shovel in the ground.
This is essentially down to a vote by the city. They’re the last real obstacle the organization has left.
Lindor is under team control for 2 more years. If CLE is going to move him, the time is this offseason. Teams don’t want to give up a lot for 1 yr rentals so either trade him with 2 yrs left or try and contend with him and Jose Ramírez.
Nonsense.
They’ll look at bids this off-season. If they’re not overwhelmed they’ll revisit bids mid-2020. Then they have next off-season.
The players the Indians would want are not known yet. Look how badly the mainstream sports media misread what they wanted and would get back for Trevor Bauer. A great trade for the Indians.
A’s needs a new stadium bad. Hopefully it goes through so baseball can remain in Oakland.
A’s fans and team deserve a new stadium. MLB lacks commitment as long as Oakland and Tampa play in cespool facilities.
The Indians should trade that Sharp Object Lindor as soon as possible for as much as they can get… Screw him..