MLB Trade Rumors: Latest on Mookie Betts, Kris Bryant and Francisco Lindor

A few major superstars may be on the move this winter.

According to a tweet from Jon Morosi of the MLB Network, one of Mookie Betts, Kris Bryant or Francisco Lindor could find themselves traded during the MLB offseason:

There is some logic to be found behind all three players potentially being moved.

Betts, 27, is one of the best players in baseball and was the AL MVP in 2018. But he's also entering his final year of arbitration and could become a free agent in 2021.

The Boston Red Sox, meanwhile, have J.D. Martinez entering the final year of his deal before he could opt out next winter, David Price set to make $32 million per season over the next three years, and Chris Sale making $30 million per year over the next three seasons before a potential opt-out in 2023. 

Betts will justifiably be seeking something between Bryce Harper (13 years, $330 million) and Mike Trout (12-year, $430 million) money on his next contract, a number the Red Sox may not be comfortable reaching given their publicly stated goal of getting under the luxury tax.

It would be shocking to see a player of Betts' talent traded. But if the Red Sox decide they aren't going to be in the sweepstakes to sign him next winter, they could perhaps shop him. 

The Chicago Cubs, meanwhile, might be nearing the end of their current window for championship contention. Bryant, 27, will be eligible for free agency in the 2022 offseason, but the Cubs could get an impressive haul of assets for dealing him now, giving an acquiring team two years of club control.  

Bryant had an impressive bounce-back season after a disappointing 2018, hitting .282 with 31 homers, 77 RBI, 108 runs and a .903 OPS. There will be a vibrant market for his services if he's made available.  

Finally, Lindor has been the subject of trade rumors, given that Cleveland and Lindor "have gotten nowhere in terms of a long-term deal," according to Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com:

But Pluto has "doubts" about the prospect of Cleveland dealing Lindor:

"[Cleveland believes it] can knock off Minnesota and win the Central Division. [It knows] Lindor is two seasons away from free agency. There will still be a strong market for him at the mid-season trading deadline. The general managers meetings are coming soon. Rumors will fly. Teams will approach [Cleveland] for Lindor, and [Cleveland] will listen."

At just 25, Lindor is already a four-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glover and two-time Silver Slugger. He hit .284 with 32 homers, 74 RBI, 101 runs, 22 stolen bases and a .854 OPS this past season, making him the proverbial five-tool talent teams crave. 

So if teams believe Lindor can be had, Cleveland should be able to create quite a bidding war for his services. But waiting to see if it can compete for a playoff spot in the AL Central first could mean the team waits until July's trade deadline before seriously fielding those calls.