Lindor discusses future: Indians haven't 'offered me the right thing'

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor is aware that his future with the club is on the minds of a lot of interested parties. On Saturday, the four-time All-Star expressed a desire to stay in Cleveland long term, but said the team hasn't "offered me the right thing."

Lindor's not in a hurry to get a new deal, but he is aiming to cash in on his success.

"Is there a right number for me right now? I don't really think about it. I'm not there yet," he said. "I only worry about what I've got in front of my toes, like I said. A lot of money sounds pretty right now. ... A lot of years sounds pretty, too."

Lindor has seen his name pop up in trade rumors this offseason as he inches closer to free agency. The 26-year-old is set to earn $17.5 million in 2020 and has one more year of arbitration ahead of him before potentially hitting the open market for the first time in 2022.

"If they don't think I can stay here because of the money situation, then I won't be here," Lindor said, before adding, "I do want to be in Cleveland. I love the Cleveland Indians, I love the Cleveland fans. The city has grown on me a lot. When is it the right time to sign an extension? I don't know."

The Indians have developed a reputation as a stingy ball club in recent years due to their lack of impact signings for a team that's otherwise been in the driver's seat in the AL Central. Over the last year, the club has traded the likes of Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer while letting longtime outfielder Michael Brantley walk in free agency.

The Indians did sign infielder Jose Ramirez to a four-year, $26-million contract extension in 2017 that includes a pair of team options worth $11 million and $13 million in 2022 and '23, respectively. However, were the Indians to finalize a new deal with Lindor, it would likely cost them significantly more.

"Do I want $500 million? Of course, everybody wants that," he jokingly added.

Since his 99-game debut in 2015, Lindor has cemented himself as one of the top talents in the game by hitting .288/.347/.518 with 130 home runs, 178 doubles, and 93 stolen bases in 717 games. The Los Angeles Dodgers have been mentioned as one of the primary suitors to acquire Lindor via trade, to the point where a deal involving Corey Seager reportedly fell through.