Cleveland Indians: Francisco Lindor trade packages from the NL West

SAN DIEGO, CA – JUNE 8: San Diego Padres C.J. Abrams throws out the first pitch before a baseball game between the San Diego Padres and the Washington Nationals at Petco Park June 8, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

Another team that has shown interest in Lindor in the past is the San Diego Padres. The Indians and Padres have recent history of making deals, including the Brad Hand deal and Mike Clevinger trade.

While the Padres have a loaded infield, they could look to move 21-year old superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. to second base.

In a deal with San Diego, the Indians could add both an immediate infield replacement for Lindor, a potential shortstop of the future and a promising outfield prospect.

The immediate impact infielder they can add is Jake Cronenworth. Cronenworth emerged as the Padres starting second basemen as a rookie in 2020 and slashed .285/.354/.477 with four home runs and 20 RBI’s. His impressive rookie season earned him a second-place finish in NL Rookie of the Year voting behind Brewers reliever Devin Williams.

As for the future’s potential shortstop, the Indians could seek 2019 first round pick CJ Abrams who is San Diego’s second-ranked prospect and hit an impressive .393 in his first MiLB action.

Finally, Cleveland can finish the deal with outfield prospect Hudson Head. Head is San Diego’s ninth-ranked prospect who the Padres selected in the third round of the 2019 Draft. He slashed .283/.383/.417 in 32 games at rookie ball and projects as a future leadoff hitter at the big league level given his plus speed and ability to get on base.

This deal checks all the boxes for the Indians as they’d receive instant infield help, a top prospect and an outfield prospect with high upside.

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