Mets Make a Deal

No apostrophe; no Monty Hall. Finally, the blockbuster deal that shakes up the baseball world. Thursday, the Mets send two a pair of young and promising shortstops, Andres Giminez and Amed Rosario, along with two recent high draft picks, to the Indians for Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco. 

Exciting news for Mets fans, a sad development for Cleveland. In New York, there's delight that new owner Steve Cohen was serious about spending big money to improve the team. In Ohio, the fans feel betrayed after the Paul Dolan group shed talent before having to pay top dollar -- without getting maximum return.

Just 27, the switch-hitting Lindor is a four-time All Star winner a year away from free agency. He joins Pete Alonso, Michael Conforto, JD Davis, Dominic Smith and Jeff McNeil in a powerful lineup. He also brings a pair of Gold Gloves to firm up a defense that too often was the Mets weak link. And his outgoing personality will quickly make him "The Face of the Franchise," someone who should help sell tickets and boost TV ratings. Still, there is risk attached. Lindor hasn't yet signed a contract extension and could play his walk yet, enter free agency seeking an even bigger bonanza than what Cohen is ready to offer now.

And we haven't gotten to Carrasco yet. Talented and inspirational, a cancer survivor who went from Venezuelan prospect to a proud American citizen. The righthander emerged in 2015 and turned in four terrific seasons before being diagnosed with leukemia. Thankfully, he recovered quickly and returned by the end of 2019 to work out of Cleveland's bullpen. Back in the rotation during the 60-game season, he turned in a sub-3 ERA, which speaks louder than a 3-4 record. With Noah Syndergaard not expected back from Tommy John surgery, "Cookie" slides in as the Mets number-two starter behind Jacob deGrom and Marcus Stroman. And he's cost-contained -- Carrasco's contract runs through 2022, with a team option for '23.

Door number "fun" for Mets fans, who can feel confident that the organization just closed or erased the gap with the defending division champion Braves.

(My image of Lindor, high-fiving with teammate Lonnie Chisenhall, is from a July 2016 game at Progressive Field.)


 

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