Mets Trade for Cleveland’s Francisco Lindor in Steve Cohen’s First Big Move

(Bloomberg) -- The New York Mets completed a trade for Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor, marking the first big move for the team’s new billionaire owner Steve Cohen.

Along with adding the four-time all-star, the Mets will obtain starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco in the deal.

The personnel changes show Cohen is moving fast to make the team more competitive and solidify a Mets lineup that finished 12th in baseball last year in runs per game. The hedge fund investor acquired the team last year.

Going to Cleveland in the deal are infielders Amed Rosario and Andres Gimenez, along with minor leaguers Josh Wolf and Isaiah Greene. Wolf is the ninth-ranked prospect in the Mets minor league system, according to MLB.com’s 2020 list. Greene, who was selected in the second round of the 2020 draft, is 10th. Rosario and Gimenez are former top prospects and potential up-the-middle building blocks for Cleveland.

Lindor is eligible to become a free agent following the 2021 season. His next contract could make him one of the highest-paid players in the game, with experts predicting a deal that could top the 12-year, $365 million contract that Mookie Betts signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year.

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