Cleveland nabs Wolf, Greene for Lindor, Carrasco

On Thursday, the Mets pulled off a blockbuster worthy of the Big Apple.

New York acquired All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor and former Cy Young contender Carlos Carrasco from Cleveland, sending prospects Josh Wolf and Isaiah Greene along with Major League infielders Andrés Giménez and Amed Rosario the other way. Wolf and Greene, who were the No. 9 and 10 prospects in the Mets system, became the Indians' No. 12 and 16 prospects respectively, according to MLB.com.

We have acquired INF Andrés Giménez, INF Amed Rosario, OF Isaiah Greene and RHP Josh Wolf from the New York Mets in exchange for SS Francisco Lindor and RHP Carlos Carrasco. pic.twitter.com/MhxvJR2QuF

— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) January 7, 2021

Wolf was taken in the second round of the 2019 Draft out of a Texas high school. The 20-year-old right-hander is lean at 6-foot-3 and 170 pounds but has earned strong reviews for his mid-90s fastball and plus curve. He also sports an average changeup and can throw the entire package with above-average control that should help him stick as a starter in his new system. Wolf made five Gulf Coast League starts in 2019, allowing three earned runs while fanning 12 and walking one over eight innings.

“He's a young, hard-throwing right-handed pitcher with a good mix of pitches,” Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti told MLB.com. “He's got an above-average fastball, up to 96 [mph]. He's got a really good slider. His changeup is his third pitch, and that's developing. He has the ingredients to develop into a successful starting Major League pitcher.”

Greene was taken 69th overall last June with the pick the Mets acquired for losing Zack Wheeler to the Phillies in free agency the previous offseason. His best tool is his speed, which is considered plus at present, but he also has above-average potential as a hitter from the left side and a defender in center field. That skill set makes him one of the most exciting outfield prospects in the Cleveland system, alongside George Valera.

“Young, athletic, left-handed-hitting center fielder who's got above-average speed, very good plate discipline,” Antonetti said of Greene. “Controls the strike zone really well and good contact ability. Great ingredients to work with to develop into a productive player on both sides of the ball.”

Giménez was a former Top-100 prospect who graduated from that status in 2020. The 22-year-old hit .263/.333/.398 with three homers over 49 games for the Mets last season, while playing shortstop, third base and second. Rosario, 25, was once a noted prospect whose status has slipped in recent years. The shortstop hit just .252/.272/.371 with four homers in 46 games in the shortened 2020 campaign and owns a career .705 OPS over four Major League seasons.

The Mets were able to acquire Lindor as Cleveland tried to regain value for him before he hits free agency at the end of the 2021 season, much like the Red Sox did a year ago with Mookie Betts. Lindor has made four All-Star appearances and owns two Gold Gloves and two Silver Sluggers. The switch-hitting shortstop hit .258/.335/.415 with eight homers over 60 games last season. Since Lindor debuted in 2015, Mike Trout (46.8) and Betts (38.4) are the only position players who have been worth more WAR than Lindor's 28.9. Lindor is scheduled for arbitration this offseason and is expected to earn between $17.5 and $21.5 million in 2021, per MLB Trade Rumors projections.

The 33-year-old Carrasco is scheduled to make $24 million over the next two seasons with a $14 million vesting option for the third. The right-hander recovered from leukemia and returned to form last season with a 2.91 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 82 strikeouts over 68 innings. He will likely slide into the Mets rotation as the club's No. 3 starter behind Jacob deGrom and Marcus Stroman.