Although the Cleveland Indians have publicly declared Francisco Lindor would be with the team come Opening Day of the 2020 season, they have reportedly remained engaged in trade talks for the All-Star shortstop.
As speculation of Lindor potentially being available, the Los Angeles Dodgers were among the teams said to be in talks with the Indians. Those reignited after the Dodgers failed to sign Gerrit Cole, Anthony Rendon or Stephen Strasburg in free agency.
The San Diego Padres and more recently the Cincinnati Reds have been connected to Lindor trade rumors. Despite assurances he wouldn’t be dealt, more indications point to the Indians taking another step forward.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Cleveland asked interested teams to submit offers for the 26-year-old:
The Francisco Lindor talks appear to be reaching a critical stage.
The Indians are telling clubs interested in trading for Lindor that they want each team’s best and final offers so they can make an assessment over the weekend.
While the Dodgers seemingly have interest in Lindor, they are thought to have expanded negotiations to include Mike Clevinger as well. He would fill a void in their rotation that’s been created by Rich Hill and Hyun-Jin Ryu both becoming free agents this winter.
If the Dodgers are to complete a trade with Cleveland, it may require parting with at least one of the organization’s top prospects. Although Corey Seager has been shopped to the Indians — and Boston Red Sox — he isn’t believed to be of much interest to Cleveland.
They instead covet Gavin Lux and Dustin May, both of whom the Dodgers have long rebuffed trade inquiries on. While the Indians were not explicitly named, Will Smith is said to be the subject of interest.
If the Dodgers were to acquire Lindor, it would make Seager expendable. Both players remain under team control through the 2021 season.
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