By now it's no secret that the Cleveland Indians are looking to trade franchise shortstop Francisco Lindor.
One team that figures to be at least a contender to win the Lindor sweepstakes is the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Indians reportedly have interest in acquiring a specific player from north of the border.
Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer has been told "the Indians would love to build a trade with Toronto with one of the players in return being outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr."
Gurriel is an appealing asset due to a combination of his low price tag and offensive production. The 27-year-old is under contract for three more years at $15 million total and posted an .882 OPS with 11 home runs in the shortened 2020 season.
Lindor, also 27, has a career .833 OPS and can hit for both average and power as a switch-hitter. The Puerto Rico native slashed .258/.335/.415 with eight home runs and six steals in the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign. He has also won two Gold Gloves over his career.
Toronto already has a promising young shortstop in Bo Bichette, but he has stated he would willingly move to another position should a "huge upgrade" come along.
Lindor is scheduled to hit free agency after the 2021 campaign, but a source told Pluto that the four-time all-star would consider signing an extension to remain with the Blue Jays.
As rumours continue to swirl during a slow-paced MLB off-season, it is important to note that interest from Cleveland in a deal involving Lindor and Gurriel does not necessarily mean there are reciprocal feelings from the Blue Jays, who are expected to be one of the league's most active teams this winter.
