New MLB Rumors on Potential Francisco Lindor Trade Between Mets-Yankees Ahead of Deadline
The New York Yankees reportedly aren't believed to be a potential landing spot for five-time All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor should the New York Mets decide to move him before the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Yankees "are not prioritizing" the acquisition of a shortstop leading up to the deadline.
Despite the Yankees' reported lack of interest, Lindor remains a potential trade candidate for the Mets.
SNY's Chelsea Janes reported Thursday that a rival executive said the Mets informed them that outfielders Juan Soto, Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing, and pitchers Nolan McLean and Christian Scott are their only untouchable players.
Janes added that although nobody has said the Mets are actively shopping Lindor, there is no indication that he is off the table if the offer is right.
Like the Mets as a whole, the 32-year-old Lindor is struggling through a trying season, as he is slashing .210/.291/.363 with five home runs and 12 RBI in 41 games.
A stint on the injured list with a calf strain likely contributed to his hardships, but he has not been particularly productive since returning from the IL last month.
Lindor does have a long history of success, though, as he is a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner, two-time Gold Glove Award winner and one-time Platinum Glove Award winner over his 12 MLB seasons split between the Mets and Cleveland Guardians.
He also has seven top-10 finishes in the MVP voting to his credit, including a second-place result in 2024 when he hit .273 with 33 home runs, 91 RBI and 29 stolen bases for the Mets.
With the Mets sitting at 41-57, which has them 15.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves for the NL East lead and 11.5 games behind the Miami Marlins for a wild-card spot, it doesn't come as a huge surprise that they are reportedly planning to be sellers at the deadline.
Their crosstown rivals, the Yankees, are in a completely different spot, as they own the second-best record in the AL at 54-42 despite entering the All-Star break on a 6-11 run.
With key players such as outfielder Aaron Judge, designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton, and starting pitchers Max Fried, Carlos Rodรณn and Clarke Schmidt all scheduled to come off the IL at some point during the second half, the Yanks figure to improve, and they should be big-time buyers at the deadline.
Heyman named catchers Francisco รlvarez and Luis Torrens, and pitchers Clay Holmes and Luke Weaver as Mets players who could potentially interest the Yankees and fill positions of need.
While some might argue that shortstop is close to catcher and the bullpen when it comes to spots the Yankees need to improve, Heyman's report suggests the Bronx Bombers are comfortable moving forward with Josรฉ Caballero and Anthony Volpe as their shortstop options for the remainder of the season.
