You’re not wrong to think reloaded NY Mets farm system sets up a Francisco Lindor trade

Top prospect lists are getting updated and the consensus seems to be that the New York Mets did a pretty good job at the trade deadline. Several additions rank in the top 10 and if not in the teens. Jefferson Rojas is ranked number one on some lists, Baseball America keeping Jonah Tong ahead of him.

Lists vary with most of the names interchanging only a few spots. One commonality is how all of a sudden the Mets are loaded with infielders. Specifically, five of the top ten on Baseball America’s list are shortstop eligible. While none have yet to reach Triple-A, we saw firsthand with Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing how little time needs to be spent there before being big league ready.

If you’re thinking the reloaded farm system sets up well for a Francisco Lindor trade, you’re not wrong.

An offseason Francisco Lindor trade is feeling more likely with all of these shortstop prospects

Any Lindor trade has complications with him needing to approve a trade as well as the contract situation that’ll have a lot of money changing hands. The rationale to trade him could be everything from doubting his abilities to simply wanting to shed some cash. Lindor hasn’t been the reliable defender he was in the past and multiple absent-minded moments seemed atypical from the high baseball I.Q. he has displayed on almost every play. This is just the start without even diving into whatever his relationship with Juan Soto actually looks like.

A one-year stop gap, even if it’s Bo Bichette for a portion of the time, is one way to fill the position. So is a quick call-up of Rojas who seems closest to MLB-ready. The Mets might always end up with a shortstop or a third baseman in any Lindor trade. Players like Andres Gimenez, Willy Adames, and Matt Chapman are all on contracts that would match to some degree in a trade.

Purposefully or not, the Mets seemed to prioritize infielders at the trade deadline. Aidan Smith from the Tampa Bay Rays for Freddy Peralta was the most significant outfielder acquired. They didn’t land any catchers. The best pitcher is a coin flip between Gary Gill Hill and Gabe Davis. Both of them need some more time in the minors before looking like contributors.

While Elian Pena and Wandy Asigen look several years away, Rojas has a 2027 ETA with Mitch Voit and Sammy Stafura listed for 2028 according to MLB Pipeline. All are fair estimations.

It’s not unique for anyone’s farm system to have multiple high-ranked shortstops, but for the Mets, there’s some reading between the lines. They moved Voit there this season as his primary position and two of their best position players they traded for play the position as well. Combine this with all of the other Lindor trade speculation, you’re not wrong to draw a conclusion that, if nothing else, the Mets have given themselves some possible solutions.

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