The Cleveland Indians should be leveraging offers from the Dodgers and Reds for Francisco Lindor in order to maximize their return.
As long as the Cleveland Indians have Francisco Lindor under contract they will continue to receive trade offers. Nobody expects Cleveland to be able to re-sign Lindor and the fact of the matter is a trade may be better business wise in order to extend their on-field success. The best way to do that is to get the best return the possibly can and a way to accomplish that is leveraging two teams against each other.
The Cincinnati Reds have thrown their hat in the ring when it comes to teams attempting to acquire Francisco Lindor. The Dodgers have also shown interest are the most widely accepted landing spot for Lindor. Most trade predictions have Frankie landing in Los Angeles and the Indians getting some sort of return. The return projected depends on made the deal for the most part, but they all exclude Gavin Lux. Los Angeles is not willing to part ways with Lux in any trade. While the strategy of keeping their top prospects has kept them competitive for a very long time, the Dodgers are still are yet to accomplish their ultimate goal, winning a World Series.
Indians need to start a bidding war between the Dodgers and Reds
Perhaps the Reds getting involved could alter the Dodgers stance about trading Lux. This would allow the Indians to leverage both teams against each other and get the best offer. Considering how Cleveland has to operate, this is a best case scenario. The Indians have to acquire young players who are under team control for a long time in order to stay relevant. This does not mean a prospect only return. Cleveland needs MLB ready players who can contribute right away. Players such as Gavin Lux from the Dodgers or Nick Senzel from the Reds. (Senzel is already contributing for Cincinnati). It is all about making an impact instantly.
For Cleveland it is all about capitalizing at an opportune time and receiving maximum value for a player they cannot retain. They may have that time right now with the Dodgers and Reds expressing interest. Find a way to make them to part ways with players that they were previously reluctant to. If the Indians can acquire previously untouchable players and have them contribute from the start, it would be the best way to go about trading a player like Francisco Lindor.
