The Mets are so far behind in the wild card race that their GM, David Stearns, is eyeing the trade deadline to start selling off pieces and looking to the future. That’s not a surprise. What *is* wild is that Francisco Lindor, one of the biggest names in the game, is suddenly a player to watch in these trade talks.
Is Lindor Actually Available? Rival Execs Say Yes.
We all figured rental pieces like Freddy Peralta would be hitting the block for contenders to grab. But Lindor? That's where things get wild. According to Chelsea Janes of SNY, a rival executive dropped a bombshell, claiming the Mets internally told their own team that only Carson Benge, A.J. Ewing, Christian Scott, Nolan McLean, and Juan Soto are *untouchable* in trade discussions. That’s a pretty short list, let’s be real, and Lindor is nowhere on it. Janes herself followed up, writing that while no one's explicitly shopping Lindor, no one has said he’s *off the table* either. When a player who can deliver MVP-caliber seasons, even if he's having a bit of a slump right now, is "not off the table," every single team around the league has to sit up and take notice. This isn't just noise; it’s a potential shift.The '$MVP-Caliber Money' Nobody Wants To Touch
Here’s the absolute kicker, though, the reason this whole situation is so wild. Lindor, when he’s going right, is undeniably one of the best players in the game, an MVP-caliber talent. But he *is* having a down season right now, which complicates things. The real monster hurdle? He’s on an MVP-candidate money contract, and that deal stretches out for the next five seasons. Think about that: five more years of elite pay! Any team that wants to make a blockbuster deal for him isn't just signing up for an immediate upgrade at a premium position like shortstop, where many teams definitely need help. They’re going to need to be able to pay that massive, long-term contract *and* simultaneously give the Mets a return that includes viable 2027 big league talent. That's a seriously, incredibly tall order in the current MLB landscape. Few teams across the league seem both willing and able to meet those asks, which makes moving him incredibly complicated. Still, the wild card here is the noticeably weak free agent market for hitters looming; that alone makes it unwise to rule anything out. So, this isn't just about the Mets dropping out of the wild card hunt; it’s about one of the league's big names, a massive contract, and a potential earthquake on the trade market. What team has the guts, the payroll space, and the prospect capital to make this happen? We're all watching the trade deadline to see if David Stearns can actually pull off a miracle and find a dance partner for Lindor, or if he'll end up staying put despite being publicly "not off the table."This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.