Just six days until Monday's MLB trade deadline, and it could be an epic one in the Big Apple. That's because the last-place New York Mets are considering a fire sale and one of their most valuable pieces could be of interest to their neighbors in the Bronx.
It's no secret the New York Yankees aren't happy with shortstop Anthony Volpe. And it's no secret the Yankees are desperate for an offensive upgrade with right fielder Aaron Judge, center fielder Cody Bellinger and designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton all on the injured list.
The most popular shortstop on the trade market is Washington Nationals stud CJ Abrams, who leads all big-league shortstops with 27 home runs. But the 25-year-old has two more years of arbitration eligibility remaining, which means his price tag could be cost-prohibitive.
Enter the Mets, who might be willing to part with Francisco Lindor. The 32-year-old has an impressive resume: five All-Star selections, four Silver Slugger Awards, two Gold Glove Awards and one Platinum Glove Award.
Lindor has been banged up this season, playing in just 50 games for the struggling Mets. But the talent is there. After all, he joined the 30-30 club just last season (31 home runs, 31 stolen bases).
So ESPN's Alden Gonzalez pitched a Lindor trade between the Yankees and Mets.
"Lindor, who has full no-trade protection at this point, can stay in New York and play for a contender. And the Mets would be able to shed a big contract while breaking up the Lindor dynamic with Juan Soto, which clearly is not working," Gonzalez wrote Tuesday.
"How much of Lindor's remaining contract -- five years and $160 million after this season -- the Mets are willing to absorb will impact what kind of talent they want back," Gonzalez added. "The Yankees wouldn't offer George Lombard Jr. -- who can come up and play third base, another position of need. But maybe they can offer another shortstop in Dax Kilby, last year's 39th overall pick."
Problem is, the Mets know that if they want to contend in 2027, their best chance at success comes with Lindor in their lineup.
"The Mets want to win next year, and there’s no good way to replace Lindor, as the top free agent shortstops are J.P. Crawford, Ha-Seong Kim and Jorge Mateo," the New York Post's Jon Heyman wrote Monday. "There’s also no indication Lindor might approve a trade."
But here's the rub: the Yankees likely won't want to kill their payroll flexibility with a Lindor trade. He's scheduled to make more than $32 million in each of the five next seasons. The team already has money sunk into Judge, Stanton and Bellinger, as well as pitchers Gerrit Cole, Max Fried and Carlos Rodon.
During the offseason, owner Hal Steinbrenner made it clear he's not willing to blow up the payroll in an attempt to buy the club its first World Series title since 2009. Trading a top-100 prospect like Lombard or Kilby for Lindor would fly in the face of that spending game plan.
Besides, if Judge, Stanton and Bellinger don't return for the stretch run, the Yankees aren't going anywhere in the playoffs. So Yankees general manager Brian Cashman would be wise to steer clear of Lindor ahead of the trade deadline.