Cincinnati Reds fans need to move past idea of adding Francisco Lindor

The time has come for Cincinnati Reds fans to face reality. Adding Francisco Lindor is not going to happen this offseason.

I’m sorry to say this Reds fans, but it’s time to move on from the idea of trading for Francisco Lindor. While I, like many of you, love the idea of Mr. Smile coming to the Queen City, it seems highly unlikely that it will happen. But, rather than sulk, fans should wrap their minds around the prospects of the Cincinnati Reds winning the NL Central without Lindor.

I’ve been effusive in my praise of what Dick Williams, Nick Krall, and the entire Reds front office has done this offseason. Adding Mike Moustakas, Shogo Akiyama, and Wade Miley are big-time moves that will pay dividends for Cincinnati this season. But, the biggest move of the offseason could be a blockbuster trade that’s unlikely to happen.

Cincinnati had been rumored to be in the mix of teams looking to trade for Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor. The idea made prefect sense. Every aspect of the Reds roster seemed set, with the lone exception of shortstop, where last season’s waiver-wire acquisition Freddy Galvis is currently slated to begin the season.

Before we get too deep into this, let’s just remember that Galvis is a talented shortstop. No, he’s nowhere near the level of Lindor, but who is? Galvis never really got the opportunity to show Reds fans what he could do defensively, as he played out of position at second base. Galvis is plus-fielder with plus-power who hit a career-high 23 homers in 2019.

Now, back too Lindor. The idea of Cincinnati trading for the superstar shortstop is sound. Galvis, while a talented infielder in his own right, could be moved to a bench role or perhaps traded. The Reds starting infield would then consist of Joey Votto, Eugenio Suárez, Moustakas, and Lindor.

Add to that infield Akiyama, Aristides Aquino, Jesse Winker, and Tucker Barnhart, and you’re looking at a World Series contender. Especially considering that the Cincinnati Reds would have one of, if not, the best starting rotations in all of the National League.

Now, what’s wrong with that equation? Honestly, from the Reds perspective, nothing at all. You’ll note that I excluded Nick Senzel from the list of Reds players likely to be in the mix for the everyday eight. That’s because any deal for Lindor will likely result in Senzel being traded. While I’m a big fan of Senzel, if that’s what it takes to land Lindor, you make that happen.

Some fans have scoffed at the idea of adding Lindor, or to a lesser extent, Corey Seager because both players are only under team control for the next two seasons. So what?! Given that every player on the Reds roster with the exception of Trevor Bauer and Anthony DeSclafani would be on the team in 2021, adding Lindor would give the Reds a two-year window to win a title. I like those odds.

Now, back to to reality. The reason this deal seems highly unlikely to happen is due more to the fact that Cleveland is reluctant to deal Lindor rather than Cincinnati’s reluctance to deal for him. Terry Francona, the Indians manager, made it very clear in a recent interview with MLB Network Radio that Lindor is not on the trading block.

Could that change in July when the Reds are battling for a division crown and Cleveland is eight games back of the AL Central Division leaders? Sure, in fact, I think the idea of trading Francisco Lindor will continue to gain more steam as the season progresses and we reach the July trade deadline. You need look no further than Cincinnati’s deal for Bauer last summer for an example.

But, rather than be down in the dumps because Cincinnati is unlikely to swing a deal for Lindor, Reds fans should be elated that the front office is even discussing the possibility. The Reds have been in the mix for several free agents that never would’ve come to Cincinnati before this season. The Reds seemed poised for a big year, regardless of adding Lindor or not.