The Francisco Lindor Trade Looks Very Different Five Years Later

In January 2021, the Cleveland Guardians traded superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco to the New York Mets in exchange for Amed Rosario, Andrés Giménez, Josh Wolf, and Isaiah Greene. The transaction is regarded as one of the most significant in the recent history of both franchises.

Lindor had been a true star in Cleveland, slashing a .285/.346/.488 line with a .833 OPS and a 118 OPS+ with the Guardians and winning two Gold Glove Awards and two Silver Slugger Awards. However, he was approaching free agency at the time.

People who have followed the Guardians for some time know that high-profile players close to becoming free agents are not always extended, and when they don’t commit their future to the organization, a trade usually takes place.

People thought that with Cleveland trading Lindor, they wouldn’t be contenders anymore in the short-term. After all, the shortstop took the Guardians to four postseasons in his six years there, including a World Series in 2016.

However, standings since that date show that the Guardians have actually been better than the Mets, a team with a much larger budget.

“Records since the Francisco Lindor trade (1/7/21): New York Mets (432-400) .519%, Cleveland Guardians (450-402) .528%,” Guardians Prospective posted on X.

Records since the Francisco Lindor trade (1/7/21)

New York Mets (432-400) .519%

Cleveland #Guardians (450-402) .528%

— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) April 20, 2026

This goes to show that there’s more than just one path to reaching organizational goals. The trade itself wasn’t a disaster because it brought Gimenez, a steady Platinum Glove Award winner, to Cleveland, but it’s safe to say the best player in the deal went to New York.

Still, the Guardians have done more than just survive without the star infielder. They have actually won more games than the Mets since that time, and have gone to three postseasons in six tries, winning two straight AL Central titles and going to the 2024 American League Championship Series.

Since Lindor left, other stars have surfaced. Jose Ramirez blossomed into a franchise player, Gavin Williams and Parker Messick are carrying the rotation, Cade Smith and Hunter Gaddis developed into impact relievers, Steven Kwan became a reliable leadoff hitter and an elite defensive player, and Chase DeLauter is shaping up to be a special outfielder.

Ramirez is in a league of his own, but none of the other players listed is as talented or consistent as Lindor. However, that doesn’t mean the Guardians are in bad shape. Quite the contrary, in fact: they are contenders to get their third straight AL Central crown.