Every year the New York Yankees are connected with Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor in a potential trade, and every year that rumor simmers to a halt. While the Yankees could be in the market for a new shortstop, given how Gleyber Torres performed at the position in 2020, it seems as if they are so confident he can develop defensively.
Torres finished the 2020 season with a .933 fielding percentage, nine errors, and 11 double plays turned over 40 games. His numbers were below average, as he allowed a -3.3 error runs above average. Overall, he was completely inadequate and failed to turn routine plays at a respectable level. This fact must be forcing general manager Brian Cashman to revisit the position. Similar to what they are doing at catcher, Torres isn’t set in stone at shortstop, which is why the door to Lindor is wide open.
Trading for Francisco would require a massive hall, including prospects and starting level talent. He has one year left on his deal, so the Yankees’ best chance to acquire him is now. They would have to extend him immediately, and the Steinbrenner’s aren’t keen on overspending at the moment. In fact, Steve Cohen and the New York Mets might be a better landing spot for Lindor, as they aren’t hampered by massive contracts like Giancarlo Stanton’s.
The New York Yankees should stay close to home:
In addition, the Yankees are still trying to re-sign DJ LeMahieu, who reportedly is willing to take a pay cut if the Bombers offer him a five-year contract. Wherever he stays, he wants it to be for a long amount of time, and the fact that LeMahieu wants to stay in New York is only beneficial for them. The primary issue, DJ is 32 years old and will be 37 by the time his deal expires, and the Yankees are already locked into several contracts over the long term.
Overall, the acquisition of Lindor would be costly, in more ways than just monetary. He will also force the Yankees to send prospects, while DJ simply demands cash. The honorable thing to do is to keep DJ and move forward with the players already on the roster, given he provided two years of excellent play and won the batting title this past season.