ESPN ponders Yankees-Francisco Lindor trade that just doesn't feel right

The Mets have revealed that they're at least willing to listen to offers for star shortstop Francisco Lindor. That's good news for the pinstripes, who are in dire need of a reliable fixture at one of baseball's most important positions.

Yankees top prospect George Lombard Jr. has been balling in the minors. He's got a .276/.408/.480 slash line across three levels in 2026, while he's slashing .256/.400/.410 with 15 doubles and nine stolen bases at Triple-A. His name has churned about the rumor mill regarding a call-up for weeks, and he may very well be deserving. But that doesn't negate the allure that a potential Lindor deal carries, or the juice he could bring as a playoff-tested vet to a team that needs clubhouse leadership.

Yankees fans have mixed opinions regarding the opportunity to get him, but it'd be hard to scoff at the deal, especially if the juice was worth the squeeze. One deal that ESPN floated, though, is hard to see coming into fruition.

ESPN reporter believes Dax Kilby could be involved in a potenial Francisco Lindor trade

There will likely be two conversation points that drive any dialogue related to Lindor: Money, and prospects. With the Mets' playoff hopes as good as dashed (barring some miraculous stretch of winning), prospects will be their primary asking price in exchange for Lindor's services.

But teams making calls to New York's front office about him will also be curious as to how much of Lindor's salary the Mets are willing to eat. He's currently on Year 5 of a 10-year, $341 million deal that will pay him $32,477,821 annually through 2031, his age-37 year. That's a hefty price, and teams would likely ask how much of it the Mets would take on.

Kilby, too, is a hefty price. The 19-year-old is probably the Yanks' most valuable prospect behind Lombard, and for good reason. Kilby's hit just one home run in 27 games as a professional, but has racked up 40 total bases and elite exit velocities for his age and level. He's hit four doubles, driven in 16 runs, and walked a whopping 18 times (20.52% walk rate) while striking out 21 times.

He hit .353 in 18 Florida State League games last season, and while he's hitting just .179 this season, his poise, plate discipline and athleticism have received high praise from the franchise. He's currently a shortstop, but could move to second base or center field as his career wears on, per MLB Pipeline.

That potential and flexibility is hard to part with, especially at Lindor's price point. It's a deal that'd be hard to swallow for much of the fanbase, and Kilby would only headline the deal -- not complete it (the Mets would certainly ask for more players in addition to him). It's not a move that seems beyond Brian Cashman, but he'd have to answer a lot of questions if he chose to execute it.

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