The Mets are closing in on a trade that would see them acquire on star shortstop Francisco Lindor and right-hander Carlos Carrasco from the Indians. ESPN.com’s Jeff Passan (Twitter links) was the first to report that the two teams were “deep in talks” about a Lindor deal, and MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported Carrasco’s involvement in the swap. According to Passan, Andres Gimenez would be part of the trade package heading to Cleveland. Also included in the swap are two prominent Mets prospects — right-hander Josh Wolf (via The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal) and outfielder Isaiah Greene (as per ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel).
It has been widely assumed that Lindor would be on the move at some point this offseason, as the Tribe is looking to cut payroll and Lindor is now entering his final season before free agency. The Mets have been one of many teams mentioned as a plausible suitor, though comments made by both new owner Steve Cohen and team president Sandy Alderson implied that the Mets would be more apt to sign big-name players rather than trade for them, due to a lack of minor league depth in New York’s farm system.
More analysis to come…