Los Angeles Dodgers: Francisco Lindor vs. Mookie Betts — the breakdown

Francisco Lindor breakdown:

Pros:

• More team control than Betts
• Better postseason hitter than Betts and existing Dodgers
• Better 2019

Cons:

• Asking price is significantly higher
• Adds to a crowded infield

Again, like Betts, it can be hard to find a con for a player that is sensational as Francisco Lindor. But just like Betts, the one con that Lindor has is a significant one, which also could keep a deal from happening.

The asking price for Francisco Lindor is going to be massive, and that is because he has an extra season of team control. That is an extra season of production that the Dodgers can get out of Lindor and an extra season that they can work on extension talks and hope that he falls in love with Los Angeles.

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However, is that one extra year really worth the asking price? The Dodgers would have to give up at least one of the two best prospects in Dustin May or Gavin Lux and that is not something that the franchise seemingly wants to do.

They are not going to be able to package Corey Seager as the main piece because he is set to be a free agent at the same time as Lindor, it would defeat the purpose for the Indians.

And if the Dodgers do not trade Seager or Lux that would create a surplus of players in the infield. Granted, that is not a bad thing to have and the team could even move Lux to the outfield, which is something that Dave Roberts alluded to.

It also gives the team someone to fill in for Justin Turner once his contract expires after this season, but again, it is only one more guaranteed year than Betts.

Lindor has been the better postseason hitter in his career with a .276 batting average, five home runs and 12 RBIs in 23 postseason games. He is also a sensational fielder like Betts, however, he does not give the Dodgers that traditional right-handed bat.

Yes, Lindor is a switch-hitter and is absolutely usable against southpaws but he has shown some troubling signs against southpaws this year. While Betts’ batting average was also down against lefties in 2019, it was not as low as Lindor’s which was down to .258.

This is weird as the two previous seasons it was right-handed pitching that was giving him more trouble. We really have no way to expect whether or not he will progress or regress on either side of the plate.

Regardless, he is still an exceptional player but the bottom line comes down to the asking price. Are the Los Angeles Dodgers willing to trade significantly more for Lindor for only one more guaranteed season? We will have to wait and find out.