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As the Los Angeles Dodgers are forced to look ahead to yet another regular season after falling short in the postseason, upgrades are needed for a team that so desperately wants to add their first World Series title since 1988 to the mantle. With their payroll seemingly skyrocketing every offseason, a move in the trade market would do themselves and their organization a ton of good for a few different reasons.
According to Jon Morosi of MLB.com, sources have been saying that the Dodgers are looked at as the favorites to go after Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor this offseason, which would most likely set off a flurry of moves for the Dodgers this offseason. If these two teams were to come to some sort of an agreement for a deal, then Lindor would slot into the Dodgers’ starting shortstop position, putting incumbent Corey Seager out of a starting job.
Sources: #Dodgers expected to pursue offseason trade for #Indians 4-time All-Star Francisco Lindor, as one possible avenue to add star power to lineup. Story: https://t.co/9WRvCrP0o5 @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 29, 2019
For the Dodgers, this move makes all the sense in the world to at least look into, simply because of the type of player Francisco Lindor is. While Seager is a fine player at shortstop, his injury history flared up in both 2018 and 2019, resulting in the entire ‘18 season and a month of the ‘19 season being on the bench due to various arm (Tommy John surgery, all of ‘18) and leg (strained left hamstring, ‘19) injuries.
A potential flipping of the infield could take place this offseason if Lindor is acquired, as Morosi threw out the infield lineup of 1B Justin Turner, 2B Gavin Lux / Max Muncy, 3B Corey Seager, and SS Francisco Lindor.
The declining defense of Turner makes him expendable to move over to first base, and Seager can slide over to third in the absence of Turner – the issue becomes playing time for both Lux and Muncy, who both are capable of starting. Cody Bellinger becomes a full-time outfielder in this role as well, while a smattering of games at first base would be open to him whenever Turner would be injured or out of the lineup.
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The Indians are on the hook for a projected $15+ million salary for Francisco Lindor in 2020 due to his arbitration eligibility, and traction on any sort of a long-term extension has been slim to none. If Cleveland was to move on from their superstar shortstop, any sort of a return package would need to include top-notch prospects who could help this team get back to the postseason as soon as next season.
With rookie catcher Will Smith taking on the starting role, no. 3 prospect Keibert Ruiz becomes expendable and would represent a great start to the framework of the deal. Involving players like Josiah Gray and Jeter Downs, the team’s fourth and fifth-best prospects that were both acquired in a deal last offseason with the Cincinnati Reds, would most certainly be on the table as well, especially since the team would much prefer to hold onto their top two prospects, Lux and pitcher Dustin May.
If the Dodgers want to get over that final hump and win the World Series, something that has to give. With one of their best farm systems in years breaking down the door to the major leagues, it looks to be a great time to look for potential outside upgrades. By going out and getting Lindor, this team makes the move for now while setting themselves up to work on a long-term deal with Lindor to keep him in the bright lights of LA for many years to come.
If all things go right, LA could have a new meaning to it after Francisco Lindor joins the team – Lindor Avenue has a good ring to it.
