Cleveland Indians: Francisco Lindor trade packages from the AL East

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 06: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Clarke Schmidt #86 of the New York Yankees pitches during a simulated game at Yankee Stadium on July 06, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Yankees Get

SS, Francisco Lindor

Indians Get

RHP, Clarke Schmidt

OF, Clint Frazier

The Yankees are likely to be one of Lindor’s top suitors.

As expected, all reports signal that the New York Yankees will be among the top suitors for Lindor this offseason.

While seeing Lindor in Pinstripes could be painful for many Indians to watch, it could allow them to add two major pieces that could help them stay competitive in 2021 and beyond.

One name Cleveland should ask for is right-handed pitcher Clarke Schmidt who is a former first-round pick. Schmidt is the Yankees second-ranked prospect and top-ranked pitcher in their minor league system.

He made his MLB Debut in 2020, pitching in three games and posting a 7.11 ERA, but he figures to wind up a mid-rotation arm or perhaps even a late-inning reliever. Whether he ends up in the starting rotation or bullpen, Schmidt’s future is bright and the Indians would improve with him as apart of their future.

To finish a deal with the Yankees, the Indians should reunite with outfielder Clint Frazier. The Indians drafted Frazier with the fifth overall pick of the 2013 Draft but traded him to the Yankees in 2016 in exchange for left-handed reliever Andrew Miller.

In 2020, Frazier had a breakout season that kept him apart of the Yankees’ everyday lineup. He slashed .267/.394/.511 with eight home runs and 26 RBI’s in 39 games and added a home run in the Yankees ALDS series with the Rays.

With the Indians outfield woes, Frazier would slide into Cleveland’s lineup and provide them with a much-needed middle of the order bat and a defensive player that finished 2020 as a Gold Glove Award finalist.