Report: Dodgers expected to pursue trade for Indians' Lindor
The Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to pursue a blockbuster trade for Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor this offseason, sources told Jon Paul Morosi of MLB.com.
Lindor opened the 2019 season on the injured list with a calf strain, but that didn't slow him down once he was activated. The 25-year-old hit .284/.335/.517 with 32 home runs, 40 doubles, and 22 stolen bases in 143 games while being named to his fourth consecutive All-Star team.
The Dodgers failed to reach the World Series after making consecutive trips to the Fall Classic in 2017 and 2018. The club is apparently open to making significant changes to its roster.
If Los Angeles does acquire Lindor, the team would need to reshuffle its infield ahead of 2020. Corey Seager is entering the offseason as the team's shortstop with Justin Turner returning as the third baseman. Max Muncy, Gavin Lux, and MVP candidate Cody Bellinger are all in the fold as well. Bellinger played a significant portion of his season in the outfield.
Seager, 25, could be a trade candidate, though not necessarily in a deal for Lindor, Morosi adds. Seager missed much of the 2018 campaign due to Tommy John surgery. In 2019, he hit .272/.335/.483 with 19 home runs and an NL-leading 44 doubles over 134 games.
Both Lindor and Seager are under team control through 2021 and will be subject to MLB's arbitration process this winter.