Switch-hitting shortstop Francisco Lindor spent his first six seasons in Major League Baseball with the former Cleveland Indians, now the Guardians.
Lindor, the Indians’ first-round draft pick in 2007, made his Cleveland debut in 2015, at the age of 21.
Lindor was a four-time All-Star with Cleveland from 2016 to 2019, and the Indians moved him to the New York Mets on January 7, 2021.
Lindor, a strong defensive shortstop, won the Rawlings American League Platinum Glove with Cleveland in 2016. He won Gold Gloves in 2016 and 2019.
The Indians traded Lindor and starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco to the Mets for middle infielders Andres Gimenez and Amed Rosario, outfielder Isaiah Greene, and pitcher Josh Wolf.
The transaction was not as stunning or spectacular as the Indians trading Rocky Colavito to the Detroit Tigers for Harvey Kuenn in April 1960, but it was nevertheless upsetting for Indians supporters.
Lindor was a beloved player of an intriguing Indians club.
Carrasco was a popular member of the team’s starting lineup.
Cleveland fans anticipated a Lindor deal from the minute the slick infielder started his last year before becoming a free agent.
The Indians traded Lindor while the Mets retained one year of team control on his contract.
A new Mets franchise owner at the time, Steve Cohen retained Lindor with a 10-year contract extension, valued at $341 million.
Cleveland fans knew Lindor would be traded. They just didn’t think it would be to the New York Mets for two young, promising prospect infielders named Gimenez and Rosario.
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