Cleveland Indians: Projecting Francisco Lindor’s arbitration price tag

Final Verdict

There’s no question that the Cleveland Indians are going to try and drag out this process to get the best deal they can. Lindor is technically locked in for next year, but that doesn’t mean the front office won’t try and short change him or even trade him so they don’t have to pay his inevitably high price tag.

Given that last year Lindor signed the fourth-highest arbitration deal of the offseason, it can be assumed that this next deal will be top three, if not the highest. Betts already got his long-term deal, leaving few ahead of Lindor on the list.

It can almost be guaranteed that Lindor’s price tag will increase from his $17.5 million mark in 2020. He didn’t perform at the level we’re used to, but was still one of the better players on the team and proved to be the energy of the clubhouse.

Seeing the other contracts that have been signed over the last year, it can be safe to assume that Lindor will join Springer and Betts from last year on the list of arbitration deals north of $20 million.

Given his stellar defense and the fact that he plays shortstop, a $20-25 million contract seems very realistic for Lindor during the arbitration process. Should this go all the way to the courts, $25 million is the number his brass should be aiming to get.