Mets make Ultimate Splash, Land Lindor and Carrasco from Indians

 Well, Christmas might be two weeks ago, but the Mets gave their fans quiet the late X-mas gift Thursday when they swung a deal for Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor and starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco, solidifying two huge needs for the Metropolitans. 

What makes the deal even bigger for the Mets is the fact they didn't give up a whole heck of lot in return. Heading to Cleveland are shortstops Amed Rosario and Andres Giminez, and prospects Josh Wolf and Isaiah Greene. 

For the Indians the move comes as they are shedding payroll, and with Lindor set to become a free agent next winter -- his departure from the Indians was inevitable. If anything it became more so after he rejected a $200 million deal last year. He wants a deal in the neighborhood of $300 million. 

The question for the Mets is are the willing and able to spend that much on Lindor -- should he decide to stay in Queens after the 2021 season? It's a question that will hover over them all year. 

Still, what the Mets get in Lindor is one of baseball's most gifted athletes. A four-time All-Star, two time Gold Glover winner and two-time Silver Slugger recipient. While he may not be the level of Mookie Betts or Mike Trout, Lindor is considered one of baseball's best players. 

In six years with the Indians, Lindor averaged 29 homers, 86 RBI and a .285 batting average. His best season came in 2018 when he amassed 129 hits, 42 doubles, 38 homers and 92 RBI. He fits right into the heart of the Mets order, probably batting second - sandwiched between Jeff McNeil and Pete Alonso. 

Mets Presidents Sandy Alderson said the Mets haven't spoke to Lindor's agent on a contract extension, but hinted that it would be visited very soon. 

Meanwhile, the Mets get a solid middle-of-the-rotation starter in Carlos "Cookie" Carrasco. Two years ago Carrasco overcame Leukemia to pitch in the final month of the 2019 season. He was named AL Comeback Player of the Year for that effort. He parlayed a rough 2019 into a solid 2020 season, where he went 3-4 with a 2.91 ERA. In his career Carrasco is 88-73 with a 3.71 ERA. The Mets inherit his contract which has two years remaining on it through the end of the 2022 campaign. 

The question is what's next? Invariably the deal likely takes the Mets out of the sweepstakes for Trevor Bauer, but they still have a shot at George Springer who was rumored to be deciding between the Mets and the Toronto Blue Jays.