Tampa Bay Rays: Potential Trade Pieces for Francisco Lindor

The Tampa Bay Rays have been named as a potential trade candidate for the Cleveland Indians in the seemingly inevitable trade of superstar Francisco Lindor. Today, we look at some of the players it might take to get him.

The Tampa Bay Rays were one of the teams frequently mentioned this past winter when Francisco Lindor‘s name came up. The trade rumors surrounding Indians’ superstar Francisco Lindor were beginning to swirl earlier this offseason. The funnel cloud was sucked back up into the sky as it appeared the Indians had no plans of moving the two-time Gold Glove winner. So, we put it to rest.

Then, recent news broke that Lindor was refusing extension talks.

Now a trade appears to be a priority for the tribe. He presents a ton of value to any suitors with two seasons left on his contract before he hits free agency.

Buster Olney of ESPN recently pinpointed the Tampa Bay Rays as a potential trade partner on his podcast “Baseball Tonight.”

He goes on to discuss how the Rays are a contender, coming off of a 96-win season. They’ve got a deep roster, deep bullpen, and how a shortened season could give the Rays an even better shot at a World Series in 2020.

Bringing in a player the caliber of Francisco Lindor is a great counter-punch to the Yankees’ Gerrit Cole addition.

Lindor has been a monster since the moment he set foot on a major-league field in 2015. Over his five years in the majors, he has posted a 119 OPS+, made four All-Star games, won two Silver Sluggers, and a Platinum Glove. All of this before the age of 26.

These are all valid points. Lindor for two years on this team could equate to the franchise’s first world championship.

Let’s take a look at a few of the players it might take to acquire the superstar.