Cincinnati Reds: Possible trade packages for Francisco Lindor

3. Prospects packaged with MLB talent

In the end, the Cleveland Indians may look for a trade package that allows them to compete next season and beyond. That would require the Cincinnati Reds to give up some talented young prospects and throw in some major league talent as well. While Cleveland missed out on the postseason last year, they still finished second in the division.

Trading away Corey Kluber surely will affect the Indians rotation heading into 2020, but the former Cy Young winner started just seven games after spending most of the season on the injured list. The Indians still have Zach Plesac, Mike Clevinger, Shane Bieber, and Carlos Carrasco returning next season.

Trading Lindor would certainly seem to indicate the Indians are rebuilding, right? Not if Cleveland landed the right package in return. What if Cincinnati dealt two of their top prospects, Jonathan India and Tony Santillan, to help the Indians for years to come, and added outfielder Jesse Winker and do-everything utility player Josh VanMeter?

Would that be enough to sway Cleveland to make a deal? Winker could be plugged in as the Indians DH or take over in right field where Yasiel Puig finished the 2019 season. If he can stay healthy, Winker has the ability to be an impact player at the MLB level. VanMeter showed power and versatility last season, but seems like player without a position for the Reds heading into 2020.

Santillan is a hard-throwing right-hander who could be part of Cleveland’s starting rotation for years to come. The Indians also have a void at second base heading into 2020 and beyond. Galvis could certainly fill that role next season and India is a talented infielder with some experience playing the position.

Will the Cincinnati Reds enter the Francisco Lindor sweepstakes? Possibly, but the front office could also feel content to head into 2020 with Freddy Galvis as the team’s starting shortstop. So far, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been the most heavily rumored team to be after Lindor, but there’s no guarantee that Cleveland even wants to trade him. Time will tell.