As we approach the MLB trade deadline, teams across the league are examining their rosters to see where they can make significant improvements. With the New York Mets falling far behind in the standings to compete for a postseason spot, shortstop Francisco Lindor has emerged as a potential big name on the trade block soon if he decides to waive his no-trade clause. A move of this magnitude carries both real-world and fantasy baseball implications, and his ultimate value depends largely on his habitat.
Here are three reasonable contenders who should push for the star stopper.
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New York Yankees: The Cross-City Transformation of the Guardians
As is often the case with star talent, the Yankees have to come together equally to land Lindor. A change of scenery from Queens to the Bronx could do wonders for him, providing an immediate opportunity to contribute to a legitimate World Series contender.
The Yankees currently rank among MLB’s top 10 in RBIs, and Lindor will benefit greatly by joining a star-studded roster that already includes Aaron Judge, Ben Rice and Jazz Chisholm Jr. This strong defense will ensure that Lindor’s at-bats are high, which could help him bounce back from his poor .216 batting average. If he can increase his .298 on-base percentage, RBI and scoring opportunities will be plentiful. In addition, focusing on Yankee Stadium’s famous balcony in right field could result in a significant increase in his power numbers.
Philadelphia Phillies: High Risk Firepower, High Reward Firepower for the Division
The idea of the Mets trading their base room to a direct National League East rival sounds crazy, but the Phillies have the balls and the will to make a bid.
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Plugging Lindor into an already high-powered lineup alongside elite bats like Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber would quickly increase his legendary floor. If the Phillies put him near the top of the order, that could change their hitting efficiency to another level.
The main planning hurdle will be adjusting the defensive alignment, as both Lindor and Trea Turner are Gold Glove-caliber shortstops. Philadelphia certainly won’t want to devalue Turner by limiting him to a smaller role. However, adding Lindor actually introduces some incredible defensive flexibility. Lindor’s positional flexibility will allow him to move to second base when Bryson Stott needs a day off, and he can also fill in at third if needed. Most importantly for fantasy owners, the midseason swing wouldn’t hurt his career, as he will retain his all-important shortstop eligibility for the rest of the season.
Seattle Mariners: Missing Piece to AL West Crown
The Mariners find themselves in the middle of the AL West race, and a top bat could give them the edge they need to secure a postseason berth.
Seattle’s pitching staff was completely off, doing more than enough of the heavy lifting to keep the team afloat. However, the case tells a completely different story. The Mariners have struggled with a team slash line of .230/.310/.380, ranking near the top of the league offensively. They suffer from extreme swing and miss issues, and their production drops significantly against left-handed pitching. The roster is sorely lacking in a versatile, hitting catalyst capable of turning around the top order, making Seattle the perfect landing spot for Lindor.
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This article was originally published at www.si.com/onsi/fantasy as Francisco Lindor’s Projecting Fantasy Value With Potential Trade Destinations.
