The Yankees have a shortstop problem, and ESPN’s Jorge Castillo thinks the answer could come from the other side of New York.
In a Tuesday piece, Castillo floated the idea of the Yankees trading for Mets star Francisco Lindor, a move that would land one of the game’s biggest names in pinstripes and send shockwaves through the city. It’s the kind of deal that almost never happens, especially between these two clubs.
“You don't normally see players going from the Mets to the Yankees, especially not stars of this caliber," Castillo writes. "But in this fantasy world we're operating, emotions aren't a factor."
Castillo’s logic starts with need. The Yankees could use help at shortstop, and they also need another impact bat with Aaron Judge nursing a rib injury. Lindor would check both boxes, while keeping him in New York on a contender.
On the Mets’ side, Castillo points to a team that is out of the race and may need to rethink its direction. He also notes that moving Lindor would let the Mets shed a major contract and break up the Lindor-Juan Soto pairing, which he says clearly is not working.
"The Yankees need to address shortstop and could use another difference-making player with Aaron Judge nursing a rib injury," Castillo writes. "Lindor, who has full no-trade protection at this point, can stay in New York and play for a contender.
And the Mets would be able to shed a big contract while breaking up the Lindor dynamic with Juan Soto, which clearly is not working. How much of Lindor's remaining contract -- five years and $160 million after this season -- the Mets are willing to absorb will impact what kind of talent they want back.
The Yankees wouldn't offer George Lombard Jr. -- who can come up and play third base, another position of need. But maybe they can offer another shortstop in Dax Kilby, last year's No. 39 overall pick."
There is a catch on the Yankees’ side, too: a Lindor deal could block George Lombard Jr. once the prospect is ready for the majors. Still, that’s the kind of future concern the Yankees often push aside when a win-now move is on the table.
If this ever became real, it would be massive for both teams - a major upgrade for the Yankees and a clean break for the Mets.
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