The Cleveland Guardians enjoyed shortstop Francisco Lindor from 2015 to 2020.
For six years, he was the face of the franchise and even helped them go to the 2016 World Series, falling just one game short of a resounding victory.
But at one point, it became evident that the Guardians wouldn’t be paying what Lindor was asking in a long-term deal.
Those circumstances facilitated a trade with the New York Mets in early 2021.
Lindor will be facing the Guardians for the first time in his career on Friday.
“The Mets face off against Cleveland tonight for the first time since the two franchises completed a blockbuster deal sending Francisco Lindor to New York on January 7, 2021. Two-plus years later, who won the deal?” SNY Mets tweeted.
The Mets face off against Cleveland tonight for the first time since the two franchises completed a blockbuster deal sending Francisco Lindor to New York on January 7, 2021.
Two-plus years later, who won the deal? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/7CHhLW6Fdl
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) May 19, 2023
That’s certainly an interesting question.
Who won the deal?
It’s still too early to tell because Lindor is only in the early stages of a long-term, blockbuster extension and two of the prospects that the Guardians received haven’t even made the majors.
But we can say the Guardians got two starters in Andres Gimenez and Amed Rosario, on the cheap.
Lindor has been good with the Mets, but his OPS has never been above .800 like it was in most of his Cleveland years.
He has also developed a strikeout problem (24.1 K% in 2023).
Carlos Carrasco, who came to Queens alongside Lindor, happens to be starting on Friday night.
He has alternated stretches of good performance with some struggles and a lot of injuries.
If finances are included in the equation – and they always are – the Guardians certainly don’t regret making the deal two years ago.
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