Francisco Lindor, Carlos Carrasco dealt by Cleveland to New York Mets

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The blockbuster trade Cleveland Indians fans had heard rumors about all offseason has finally come to fruition. The club traded four-time All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor to the New York Mets along with 11-year veteran starter Carlos Carrasco in exchange for shortstops Amed Rosario, Andres Gimenez and a pair of prospects.

Since Lindor’s debut with the club in 2015, the Indians have won three division titles, reached the playoffs four times and made one World Series appearance. Carrasco joined the club in 2009 and has posted more than 1,300 strikeouts to go along with 88 wins. Both players were part of the bedrock of success enjoyed by the team over the last five seasons.

Cleveland sheds nearly $44 million in payroll by trading away Lindor and Carrasco. Lindor was set to make just short of $20 million in arbitration this year, while Carrasco signed an extension prior to last season that pays him $12 million in 2021.

https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2021/01/cleveland-indians-trade-francisco-lindor-carlos-carrasco-to-new-york-mets-see-reaction-on-social-media.html

We were waiting for this. Still, its one (make it two) bitter pills to swallow.

Small market horrors -- trading away solid players in their prime. Thome, Rameriz, Sabathia, Lee, Martinez, Lindor ...