Throughout December 2025, we have taken a look back at how significant trades made five years ago have shaken out for the respective teams involved. Our latest takes a look at the blockbuster that sent Francisco Lindor from the Indians (now known as Guardians) to the Mets.
Five years ago, the Mets were determined to shake up the National League. After missing the playoffs in four straight seasons, the Mets — suited with a new owner — made a massive splash, adding Francisco Lindor. It was a trade that greatly affected both the Mets and the Cleveland Guardians.
Cleveland’s strong run in the 2010s
Almost 20 years after the Indians’ final pennant of the 20th century, Cleveland made the 2016 World Series after a convincing ALCS victory against the Blue Jays. It cemented a years-long building up from rebuilder to contender.
Entering the 2016 season, the Indians hadn’t won a playoff game since 2007. That year, a well-rounded team led by Grady Sizemore, Roberto Hernandez (fka Fausto Carmona), and future Hall of Famer CC Sabathia upset the Yankees in the ALDS before losing in seven to Boston in the ALCS. After that season, Cleveland underwent a gradual rebuild, trading away CC Sabathia, Cliff Lee, and Victor Martinez, among others.
The Indians slowly began to amass pieces. Cleveland got Michael Brantley in the Sabathia deal, Carlos Carrasco for Lee, Justin Masterson for Martinez, and, in an under-the-radar move, Corey Kluber in the trade that sent Jake Westbrook to the Cardinals. Additionally, former Cleveland third baseman Casey Blake netted the Indians then-catcher Carlos Santana from the Dodgers.
Things slowly began to turn in the 2010s. Jason Kipnis, a second-round pick in 2009, turned into a fantastic hitting second baseman. Cleveland hit the jackpot in the international market with Jose Ramirez, and, in 2011, drafted Francisco Lindor in the first round.
By 2016, the Cleveland Indians had a championship-caliber roster. A strong rotation led by Kluber, Carlos Carrasco, Trevor Bauer, and Danny Salazar, a fantastic bullpen, and a deep offense. Unfortunately for the Indians, the team squandered a 3-1 series lead in the Fall Classic to the Cubs.
The 2016 campaign was Lindor’s first full year in the Majors. He made his MLB debut the year before and quickly emerged as one of the game’s best shortstops. After that 2016 season, Lindor had three-straight 30+ home run campaigns, played strong defense, and had clutch moments in the playoffs.
Image via Wikimedia Commons (Erik Drost)
The problem, though, was that Cleveland was reaching a critical juncture. The Indians couldn’t get past the Yankees, Red Sox, or Astros in the American League postseason picture from 2017 through 2020. Lindor was entering his final year of team control in 2021.
A new era in Queens
Much like the Indians, the Mets had their own postseason high in 2015. That year, the Mets won the National League pennant thanks, in large part, to a deep pitching staff and clutch hitting. However, the Mets ran into problems later on in the decade.
Injuries began to take a toll on their young pitching staff. Matt Harvey dealt with thoracic outlet syndrome, while Noah Syndergaard dealt with numerous injuries before requiring UCL reconstruction in 2020. Zack Wheeler, another major building block, left in free agency after the 2019 campaign and joined the Phillies.
The Mets made the playoffs just once between 2016 and 2020. New York had sub-.500 records in 2017 and 2018 before winning 86 games in 2019. In 2020, the Mets went 26-34 in the shortened season.
The 2020 campaign proved to be the end of an era in several ways. One, the Mets had a new owner: billionaire hedge fund manager and longtime Mets fan Steve Cohen. Cohen bought the team from Fred and Jeff Wilpon, ushering in a new era — and a potentially significant payroll increase. After all, Cohen was more than an owner — he wanted to build the team he loved into a winner.
It also meant front office changes. Brodie Van Wagenen, the Mets’ GM in 2019 and 2020, left the organization along with other front office members. While Van Waganen was aggressive, adding Edwin Diaz, Robinson Cano, and Marcus Stroman, among others, his time was marred with sluggish starts in both of those seasons.
The 2020 season was bizarre for several reasons. Yoenis Cespedes left the Mets in early August, opting out of playing during the pandemic. The team issued a statement before officially announcing his decision, stating he was missing. It was a notable loss, given that Cespedes was expected to be a key cog of their offense.
Despite losing Cespedes, the Mets’ offense was very good. Robinson Cano had a resurgent season, while Michael Conforto and Dominic Smith had fantastic seasons. Andres Gimenez, one of the team’s best prospects, played well in his rookie campaign.
Image via Wikimedia Commons (All-Pro Reels)
The pitching, outside of Jacob deGrom, was suspect — polar opposite of the Mets’ MO of the past. But with deGrom and Diaz around, along with a good offense, the Mets were keen on making a splash.
Lindor as a Met
Thus, in January 2021, the Mets acquired Lindor, along with Carlos Carrasco, in a massive trade that sent four players to Cleveland. New York’s front office, led by then-team president Sandy Alderson and general manager Jared Porter — who was fired days afterwards after improper text messages to a female reporter — pulled off the trade.
It did come with obvious risk. Arguably, the biggest risk was Lindor potentially leaving Queens. After all, Lindor only had one year of team control when the Mets acquired him.
That concern went away in April when the Mets re-signed him to a 10-year, $341MM deal that set the market for the following offseason. It also ensured Lindor would be a Met for the long haul.
However, his first season was…interesting. Lindor posted an exceptional +21 Outs Above Average in his first full season, which was fantastic defensive work for a team that struggled to find a permanent answer there. At the plate, though, Lindor slashed .230/.322/.412 with 20 home runs, his lowest total in a full season since 2016.
There were also the non-baseball issues. Lindor got into a fight with Jeff McNeil in the spring of 2021, then flustered fans when both he and Javier Baez did a thumbs-down celebration. Both had to do damage control.
Since then, Lindor has become comfortable in Queens. The now-32-year-old drove in 107 runs in 2022, then had three-straight 30+ home run seasons between 2023 and 2025. He also had several signature moments, including a ninth-inning blast in Game 161 last year to clinch a playoff spot. A few weeks later, he hit a game-winning grand slam to finish off Game 4 of the 2024 NLDS and the series.
From a purely statistical standpoint, very few have done what Lindor has over the years. Between 2022 and 2025. Lindor had the 10th-most home runs (124) and 12th-most stolen bases (108).
What the Indians (Guardians) got
As part of that deal, the Guardians received four players. Those individuals were prospects Josh Wolf and Isaiah Greene, plus Major Leaguers Amed Rosario and Andres Gimenez.
Both Greene and Wolf were former second-round picks. Greene was a toolsy outfielder picked in 2020, while Wolf was drafted in 2019. Neither turned into a Major Leaguer.
Despite working a lot of walks, Greene never batted above .226 in full-season ball. Greene was released in 2025, capping out at High-A. As for Wolf, walks did him in. The Guardians released him in 2024. The 25-year-old spent 2025 with High-A Eugene in the Giants’ organization. Wolf walked 57 over 57 innings.
Image via Wikimedia Commons (Erik Drost)
The Guardians got more out of the other two. Rosario came to Cleveland after failing his secure the starting shortstop role with the Mets. Once a high-end prospect, Rosario had flows; namely, a tendency to chase out of the zone and subpar fielding despite good speed. The Mets tried to move him around, including getting time in the outfield.
Rosario, though, got a long lock as a shortstop with the Guardians. While he didn’t put up Lindor-like numbers, Rosario had double-digit home run seasons in 2021 and 2022. But after he posted a .675 OPS in 2023, the Guardians traded him to the Dodgers for…Noah Syndergaard.
Gimenez proved to be the gem of the trade. Before the trade, Gimenez was considered a very good defender. However, Cleveland had him play second base. He didn’t hit much in 2021 but exploded in 2022, as Gimenez hit 17 home runs, posted a .371 OBP, and was an AL All-Star.
Not to mention, the glove was legit at second base. Gimenez won three Gold Gloves with the Guardians. Cleveland traded him in December 2024, a little over a year after he inked a long contract extension. It came right before the bulk of the money was due.
Summary
While Lindor’s first season was eventful, he’s proven to be an exceptional piece for the Mets’ present and future. Very few players have been able to match what he does.
For reference, Lindor is one of five players to have 100+ home runs and stolen bases between 2022 and 2025. The other four? Shohei Ohtani, Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr., and his former teammate, Jose Ramirez.
As for Cleveland, it’s not as complicated as one would think. Sure, the Mets got the best piece from that deal.
However, it did, in part, accomplish the feat of keeping the Guardians competitive without a lot of spending.
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