Los Angeles Angels: 3 reasons to trade for Francisco Lindor

CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 30: Shortstop Francisco Lindor #12 of the Cleveland Indians throws out DJ LeMahieu #26 of the New York Yankees at first during the sixth inning of Game Two of the American League Wild Card Series at Progressive Field on September 30, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Yankees defeated the Indians 10-9. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

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The first reason is that Francisco Lindor is downright amazing at the game of baseball. While he only holds a career 118 wRC+, he has already posted 28.9 WAR in his first six seasons in the major leagues, counting a shortened rookie season and a shortened 2020 season. Since 2016, Lindor ranks sixth in all of baseball in wins above replacement. The list of men he is behind is as follows: Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, Christian Yelich, Anthony Rendon, and Jose Ramirez. Yes, Lindor would give the Angels three of the best six players in the entire sport since 2016.

The Angels can make this move for a variety of reasons. While they are likely just a dark horse candidate in the media, they might internally be weighing this option. Lindor fits the team extremely well — he fits any team well — given both his offensive and defensive prowess.

Lindor would likely bat leadoff for the Angels in front of Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon, and Shohei Ohtani. He could provide the Angels’ lineup with a similar jolt to the one Mookie Betts provided to the Dodgers’ already star studded lineup.

Yes, the Angels need pitching, but you don’t find generational talents like Lindor growing on trees.

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