Juan Soto-Francisco Lindor injury luck has former WFAN host predicting Yankees trade

Francisco Lindor’s return and Juan Soto’s departure happened at nearly identical times. Well, one preceded the other by a singular day, but still, it was enough to draw significant attention for its coincidental nature.

And in the eyes of former WFAN host Sal Licata, the pair’s lack of playing time together is one reason for the Mets to depart with Lindor, and for the Yankees to keep an eye on his status.

Lindor and Soto have played all of nine games together this season (of a possible 79). Much of that is because Lindor missed just over two months with a left calf strain he sustained while rounding the bases on April 22. That same game marked Soto’s return from the injured list due to a calf strain of his own that had kept him sidelined since April 4. 

Now, two months later, the two have managed to avoid each other yet again. And that’s something they’ve seemingly done anyways, with rumors swirling throughout their tenure together that they’re not fond of each other’s personalities (a viral video Opening Day video pointed to that as well).

The Mets have reason to trade Francisco Lindor, and the Yankees have reason to want him

It’s getting harder for the Mets to justify their garish payroll with the on-field results. It all came to a head on Friday when they fired manager Carlos Mendoza. They missed the playoffs last season after an historic collapse and currently sit last in the NL East standings, far out of a playoff spot.

And the Yankees need a shortstop. Sure, Lindor is not as young as he once was. He’s committing errors at an unusually high clip (including on the first chance he got at short in his return from the injured list). His bat always lags at the start of the season and he's proven not to be a leader, as evidenced by failing to earn the captain label despite being "the guy" since getting traded to New York.

In his defense, Lindor never got the chance to warm up at the dish. Players generally go through their ups and downs, and it just so happens that Lindor’s down came at the beginning of the year. He’s a multi-time Gold Glover, and while Anthony Volpe took one home during his rookie season (2023) he hasn’t matched that type of glove production since. 

Lindor’s also tasted postseason baseball in six different seasons, with 41 games under his belt. With the Yankees’ recent collapses in the playoffs, Lindor could provide a slow heartbeat, and veteran leadership the team could use at such a valuable position. And he'd be far down the totem pole where he'd be able to relax and just be himself.

So, who would the Yanks trade for his services? According to Licata, a haul including the squad’s No. 1 prospect George Lombard Jr., alongside a platoon of pitching prospects would be the exchange. The Mets need relievers, and with the Yanks in win-now mode they can afford to depart with unproven talents in lieu of an All-Star like Lindor.

A swap of this magnitude between two of the league's titans would shock the baseball masses, much like Juan Soto's departure to the Mets did a year and a half ago. But both sides stand to benefit from such a deal, with the Yankees tremendously improving their chances to get over their World Series hump. Will it happen? No. But it's food for thought with the trade deadline five weeks away.

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