The Boston Red Sox are reportedly in the market for a shortstop, but are not going after Francisco Lindor, according to The Athletic's Jim Bowden.
ESPN's Buster Olney recently reported that the Red Sox are interested in adding a shortstop. Bowden noted on Tuesday that the Red Sox have engaged in conversations around CJ Abrams, Zach Neto and Jeremy Peña, but not Lindor.
"Lindor’s contract and age are too much of an issue for Boston to pursue him at this trade deadline," wrote Bowden.
Lindor's name started popping up in trade rumors after SNY's Chelsea Janes reported that he was not on the list of five players the Mets reportedly told other teams were the only unavailable players in trade. Those five players were Carson Benge, A.J. Ewing, Christian Scott, Nolan McLean and Juan Soto. Lindor is having a down year, but plenty of teams may still see him as an upgrade at shortstop.
He has received MVP votes in eight different seasons and is signed to a 10-year, $341 million contract. He will turn 33 soon, and teams may be hesitant to pick up his salary while there are concerns of a decline. If he were having a better season, teams may be more willing. Then again, if he were having a better season, the Mets may not be sellers, and he may not even be available.
He is set to make over $32 million in each of the next five seasons. That would be a massive contract for the Red Sox to pick up. They already have their future shortstop in Franklin Arias, and they may have just locked Curtis Mead in at second base for the next few years.
The only way the Red Sox are going to give up a haul for a shortstop is if it is someone controllable and someone who can help them win right now. Lindor does not really fit the bill.