In 2021, the Cleveland Guardians sent star shortstop Francisco Lindor and starter Carlos Carrasco to the New York Mets in exchange for infielders Andres Gimenez and Amed Rosario, outfielder Isaiah Greene, and pitcher Josh Wolfe.
Lindor hasn’t been the kind of hitter he was in Cleveland while playing for the Mets, but he has been above-average anyway.
With his baserunning and defense, he always finds a way to finish among the most valuable players at his position.
But Rosario and Gimenez developed into legitimate starters last year, and you could say the latter is a young star.
Who got the better end of the deal?
It’s hard to say because it’s too early, but despite Gimenez and Rosario struggling this year, the Guardians weren’t going to pay $341 million to Lindor.
They might as well get something in return, and in their case, they got value.
The Mets?
Lindor might not be the offensive beast he used to be, but he is still 29 and contributing.
A lot.
“Francisco Lindor was the 7th-most valuable player in MLB last season via fWAR. This season, he’s on pace to finish with 22 HR, 50 2B, 112 RBI, and 94 runs. Andres Gimenez and Amed Rosario were both really good in 2022. In 2023? Gimenez: .238/.313/.361; Rosario: .247/.280/.351,” SNY’s Danny Abriano tweeted.
Francisco Lindor was the 7th-most valuable player in MLB last season via fWAR
This season, he’s on pace to finish with 22 HR, 50 2B, 112 RBI, and 94 runs
Andres Gimenez and Amed Rosario were both really good in 2022
In 2023?
Gimenez: .238/.313/.361
Rosario: .247/.280/.351— Danny Abriano (@DannyAbriano) May 19, 2023
The numbers favor Lindor this year, as Abriano says, but at .225/.308/.410 and a career-high 24.1% strikeout rate, it’s not like he is lighting the world on fire.
Lindor has the floor, Gimenez the ceiling, and Rosario is the wild card of the deal.
Who won the trade entirely depends on future performance.
The Mets got a franchise player with a proven track record and an all-around contributor, so since they can comfortably afford him, they probably won’t complain.
NEXT:
Mets Celebrate A Hot Stretch For Pete Alonso
