Francisco Lindor is gone. Jose Ramirez stayed. What about the Mets & Guardians? – Terry Pluto

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Talking to myself as Francisco Lindor and the New York Mets come to town Monday to open a three-game series against the Guardians:

QUESTION: Would you trade Andres Gimenez for Lindor?

ANSWER: That’s where the original Lindor deal stands 3 ½ years after Cleveland sent its star shortstop to the Mets. But before we do that, I want to talk about Jose Ramirez.

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Q: Jose … why?

A: Let’s look at how Lindor has played since going to the Mets after the 2020 season compared to what Ramirez has done staying in Cleveland.

Q: Why?

A: Maybe it’s because one player decided to chase the money no matter where it led, and the other made what many would consider a foolish decision to stay with his “home” team.

Q: I get it, Lindor was traded to the Mets and then signed a 10-year, $341 million deal. In terms of raw total guaranteed dollars, it’s still the sixth highest contract in the majors right now.

A: Before the 2022 season opened, Ramirez signed a seven-year, $141 million deal with Cleveland. That ranks No. 34. But that’s not really what I’m concentrating on.

A LITTLE HISTORY

Q: What is your point?

A: When Lindor and Ramirez were in the Cleveland farm system, Lindor was the phenom. Ramirez had to battle to find a position. He played second, he played short, he even played some left field before settling at third base. Ramirez will never admit it, but I believe he wanted to prove he was as good – if not superior – to Lindor.

Q: And …

A: Even though it was never going to happen because Lindor had his eyes on the cash … but suppose Cleveland had actually found a way to sign Lindor to a long-term deal before the trade? Economically, that would have led to them trading Ramirez. They wouldn’t pay both players.

Q: I never thought of that.

A: Let’s ask a different question: Who is the better player, Ramirez or Lindor?

Q: This year, Lindor has been terrible. He’s batting .194 (.633 OPS) with seven HR and 21 RBI. Ramirez is batting .249 (.764 OPS) with 10 HR and leads the American League with 38 RBI.

A: It’s not just 2024. Since Lindor was traded to the Mets, he’s a .248 hitter (.766 OPS) with 84 HR, 82 doubles and 289 RBI.

Q: And Ramirez?

A: Since the trade, Ramirez is a .273 hitter (.840 OPS) with 99 HR, 118 doubles and 347 RBI.

Q: But the Guardians didn’t trade Lindor for Ramirez. In fact, they were ready to trade Ramirez before opening day in 2022.

A: Ramirez signed to stay in Cleveland. He insisted on a no-trade clause in the contract. His values are different from those of Lindor. Ramirez doesn’t care about media attention or endorsements. He’s a ballplayer, one of the smartest in baseball. A small market team that is well-run and is a consistent contender with a lot of stability is important to him.

KEEPING SCORE

Q: But Lindor is worth $200 million more based on their last contracts.

A: Very true. That’s what he wanted. In fact, it’s a bit strange that his Mets deal is worth $341 million.

Q: I’ll take the bait … why?

A: Because Fernando Tatis Jr. had just signed a $340 million contract with the Padres. These guys (and their agents) not only keep score with stats, but also with contract numbers. Lindor’s contract is worth $1 million more.

Q: I heard Lindor didn’t want to play in New York, is that right?

A: Probably. I heard his preferred destinations was the Dodgers and perhaps the Blue Jays.

Q: So why sign with the Mets?

A: Lindor could have played out the 2021 season and become a free agent. One of the reasons Cleveland had a hard time making a huge deal for Lindor was the shortstop’s impending free agency.

Q: I repeat, why did Lindor sign with the Mets?

A: They gave him $341 million reasons to do so.

Q: Do you think he’s happy?

A: Who knows? I do know the Mets had one winning season (101-61 in 2022) since he was traded there. The Mets entered the weekend with a 20-24 record. He hasn’t made an All-Star team with the Mets. But he drove in 107 runs in 2022 and 98 in 2023, hitting 26 and 31 HR in those seasons. He was in the top 10 in National League MVP voting both years.

Q: So he’s hardly been a bust.

A: That’s correct. He’s not been the same consistent player that he was in Cleveland. He made four All-Star teams with the Tribe, batting .285 (.833 OPS) for his Cleveland career from 2015-20.

A SIDE TRIP WITH COOKIE

Q: Would Cleveland make the same deal again?

A: Lindor and Carlos Carrasco were traded to the Mets for Andres Gimenez, Amed Rosario and a pair of minor leaguers – Josh Wolf and Isaiah Greene. The minor leaguers are struggling deep in the farm system. Rosario had solid years with Cleveland in 2021 and 2022.

Q: Didn’t Rosario become close with Ramirez?

A: Absolutely. Along with Austin Hedges and a few other key players, they were leaders in the clubhouse and a key part of the 2022 Guardians that won the Central Division and knocked off Tampa Bay in the first round of the playoffs.

Q: Now, it’s Lindor for Gimenez.

A: Basically, that’s correct. But Carrasco – don’t you love Cookie? – came back to Cleveland in spring training on a minor league contract as a free agent. He’s helping the team now as a fifth starter. He’s like Ramirez, he never wanted to leave.

Q: How did Carrasco pitch for the Mets?

A: He battled injuries. He was 19-20 with a 5.21 ERA in New York. He’s 2-4 with a 5.16 ERA this season for Cleveland. He’s been better of late, a 3.00 ERA in his last three starts.

WHAT ABOUT THE TRADE

Q: Isn’t it now about Gimenez for Cleveland?

A: Since 2021, one player has hit .265 (.743 OPS) compared to another batting .248 (.766 OPS). Care to put names to the numbers?

Q: Lindor and Gimenez?

A: Hard to believe, but that’s true. Gimenez is the .265 (.743 OPS) hitter in Cleveland. Lindor is the superior run-producer with 84 HR and 289 RBI for the Mets compared to 39 HR and 170 RBI for Gimenez.

Q: Would you take Gimenez over Lindor?

A: If they both made the same money and it was a short-term deal – of course not ... even if Lindor is in terrible slump (.194) this season. But money does matter. Lindor is 30 with eight years and $270 million on his contract. The 25-year-old Gimenez has six years and $101 million left on his contract. He’s under team control through 2030.

Q: When you factor in the money and age …

A: Gimenez looks very good. Then add in the fact he won a Gold Glove in 2022 at second base. In 2023, he was a Platinum Glove winner for the best defensive player at any position in the American League. He is the best Cleveland second baseman defensively since Robbie Alomar. I’m on the verge of saying I’d prefer Andres at that position to Alomar.

Q: As a hitter?

He’s still developing. He entered the weekend batting .267 (.690 OPS) with two HR and 23 RBI. I combined his 2022-23 seasons to begin to see a pattern. In those two years, he batted .272 (.774 OPS), averaging 16 HR and 65 RBI along with 25 stolen bases. Then factor in the elite defense. If needed, he can also play shortstop – his natural position.

Q: What is the bottom line?

A: The deal is nearly 3 ½ seasons old. It’s been up and down for Lindor. It’s been a rise to leadership and prominence for Ramirez, who has made the All-Star team every year since the trade. Gimenez was an All-Star in 2022. Cleveland is back in contention. The Mets have baseball’s largest payroll and seem headed into mediocrity … again. You decide.