Francisco Lindor Trade Rumors: Indians Ask Teams for 'Best and Final Offers'

The Cleveland Indians have given clubs interested in shortstop Francisco Lindor a deadline, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal on Thursday night.   

Rosenthal reported that the Indians are telling potential suitors "that they want each team's best and final offers so they can make an assessment over the weekend" as to whether they want to trade the four-time All-Star. 

"I do think [the Indians] are trying to bring things to a rapid conclusion," an anonymous executive involved in Lindor talks told Rosenthal. "I'm not sure why they want to impose an artificial deadline when they may get a much better deal in January once teams have a clearer picture of what options they have."

Rosenthal added that the latest development does not guarantee a Lindor trade will actualize, but he named the Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres as teams involved.

MLB.com's Mark Feinsand was the first to link the Reds to the 26-year-old earlier Thursday:

The Dodgers have reportedly been in on Lindor the longest, as MLB.com's Jon Morosi relayed the following in late October:

"Sources say the Dodgers are expected to pursue a trade for Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor as one possible addition to an offense that managed only a .303 on-base percentage during this month’s National League Division Series loss to the Nationals.

"... Incumbent shortstop Corey Seager would become a trade candidate -- though perhaps not to Cleveland -- if talks between the Dodgers and Indians gain momentum."

Dodgers rumors were stoked during the winter meetings earlier this month:

However, MLB Network's Jon Heyman floated last week that Cleveland may be more inclined to hang onto Lindor after they dealt two-time Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Corey Kluber to the Texas Rangers:

Lindor is owed $16.7 million in 2020 and remains under team control through 2021, per Spotrac. 

The Indians selected Lindor with the eighth overall pick of the 2011 MLB draft, and he has played in Cleveland since 2015. Last season, Lindor posted a .284/.335/.518 slash line with 32 home runs and 74 RBI across 143 games while also earning his second career Golden Glove.