The latest blockbuster deal this offseason is bad news for the Phillies.
The New York Mets have acquired superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor and former Phillies top prospect Carlos Carrasco from Cleveland in exchange for shortstops Andrés Giménez, Amed Rosario, right-handed pitching prospect Josh Wolf and outfield prospect Isaiah Greene.
The move solidifies the Braves and Mets as the top two teams in the NL East with the Phillies a distant third at best. Lindor, 27, is a four-time All-Star who is considered the best shortstop in baseball. He struggled in the shortened 2020 season and is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2021 season. The Mets will most likely make a strong push to re-sign Lindor to a long-term contract.
Carrasco, 33, has two years remaining on a four-year/$47 million contract with a vesting option for 2023. In 12 starts, Carrasco posted a 2.91 ERA in 2020. He was diagnosed with leukemia in 2019 and recovered in time to return at the end of the season. He’ll most likely slot behind Marcus Stroman as the team’s No. 3 starter.
The Phillies signed Carrasco in 2003 and ranked as the team’s top prospect heading into the 2007 and 2008 season. He was dealt to Cleveland as part of the Cliff Lee deal at the deadline in 2009.
We’ll have more on this story and what it means for the Phillies moving forward.