The new Mets regime isn’t messing around.
After weeks of feeding the fan base appetizers, the organization served a main course Thursday, completing one of the splashiest trades in franchise history.
The result was Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco headed to Queens in a blockbuster deal that sent Amed Rosario, Andres Gimenez, Isaiah Greene and Josh Wolf to Cleveland. The trade — the first “wow” moment of new owner Steve Cohen’s tenure — bolsters the Mets’ lineup and rotation, turning the team into an instant NL East contender.
The 27-year-old Lindor, who can become a free agent after this season, rates among the game’s premier shortstops. The Indians have been shopping Lindor the last two winters in an attempt to shed payroll. He is expected to receive around $20 million this season in his final year of arbitration eligibility.
Team president Sandy Alderson indicated he’s had one conversation with Lindor about a potential long-term contract, but no discussions with the player’s agent.
“We acquired Francisco because of his present ability and the possibility that he could be a Met long term, [but] there is no guarantee of that,” Alderson said. “It’s something we will approach in the next few weeks, but at this point we felt comfortable giving up the group of players we did for both Lindor and Carrasco, recognizing that Lindor is only under contract for one year and Carrasco for two-plus an option, so we gave up a lot of control for short-term control. But I think we’re comfortable with that and what we might be able to do going forward.”
Lindor’s agent, Dave Meter, declined comment.
Last season, Lindor posted a .258/.335/.415 slash line with eight homers and 27 RBIs in 60 games. He has won two Gold Glove awards during a six-year career in which he’s posted an .833 OPS.
The last Mets offseason trade that brought a star in his prime of Lindor’s magnitude occurred after the 2007 season, when Johan Santana arrived in a trade with the Twins. In-season trades for Mike Piazza (1998) and Yoenis Cespedes (2015) also delivered stars who helped transform the organization.
“Any time a player brings an extra dimension in terms of personality, in terms of how they present themselves, how the fans will react to that player, I think that all has to be taken into account,” Alderson said. “He’s obviously done lots of things over his young life and we expect he will continue to do them in New York.”
Carrasco, 33, will give the Mets a legitimate No. 2 starter in their rotation behind Jacob deGrom. The right-hander went 3-4 with a 2.91 ERA in 12 starts last season for the Indians.
Alderson indicated the trade talks with Cleveland began in November, but didn’t heat up until recent days, when specific players were discussed.
Gimenez emerged as the Mets’ starting shortstop last season, but became expendable — along with Rosario — in large part because the organization’s top prospect, Ronny Mauricio, also plays the position. Greene (an outfielder) and Wolf (a right-handed pitcher) were early-round picks in the Mets’ last two drafts. Gimenez was central to Cleveland’s interest, according to Alderson.
The Mets’ offseason under Alderson (and recently GM Jared Porter) has also included the signing of catcher James McCann to a four-year contract worth $40.6 million. Earlier, the Mets signed reliever Trevor May to a two-year deal worth $15.5 million. Marcus Stroman accepted a qualifying offer worth $18.9 million, bringing another arm to the rotation.
Cohen has indicated he would like to remain under the luxury-tax threshold of $210 million for next season. As it stands, Spotrac pegs the Mets’ payroll at $186 million. If the Mets were to sign the top free-agent outfielder on the market, George Springer, it could push them right to or beyond the limit.
“It’s hard to know where things are going to go,” Alderson said. “I don’t know what the top end of the market is at this point. I think we’re going to hold our cards and see where things go.”
Asked about the organization’s appetite for another big acquisition, Alderson said: “We’re always hungry.”