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So far this off-season, the Blue Jays seem to be connected to just about every single rumor out there. Every impact free-agent has seemed to draw at least a bit of interest from the Blue Jays, and the trade market is no different.
Francisco Lindor has been a name that has been on the trade market for some time now, and he would provide Toronto with that proven superstar they have been looking for. Also, the connection between Cleveland and the current Jay's management team is obvious. However, another proven superstar's name has also been floated around a bit recently, and that name is Nolan Arenado.
Now it's entirely realistic that the Blue Jays don't get either of these players, but it seems at least possible they could get one. They surely won't be getting both, so let's compare which of the two the Jays should be more interested in acquiring.
Spoiler alert; It’s Nolan Arenado.
Let's start by talking about the players themselves. Lindor is younger, just turning 27, while Arenado is 29. Contract wise though, there is a lot more security with acquiring Arenado than there is with Lindor. Lindor will be a free agent after next season, while Arenado is signed until 2026, making 32.5 million dollars a season.
Now that's a lot of money; however, it's tough to argue Arenado isn't worth every penny. He's easily one of the best players in the entire league. In 1079 career games (All with the Rockies), he has 235 home runs and 760 RBI's. For five straight seasons between 2015-2019, his lowest single-season total for RBI's was 110, getting 130 or more three of those seasons. For his career, he owns a .293 batting average and a WAR of 38.9. He's a 5x All-Star, 4x Silver Slugger, and 7x Wold Glove winner.
That's not to say Lindor also isn't one of baseball's best, because he certainly is. Lindor only has 777 games under his belt and has been an all-star in every season except his rookie and this past shortened season. He's a career .285 hitter and has an OBP of .346. He's an elite shortstop with great range, a critical factor in why he already has 2 Gold Gloves to go along with 2 Silver Slugger Awards. Lindor also possesses great speed as he has 99 career stolen bases.
So, we've established that both players are elite, which can help any franchise take the next step, and both would undoubtedly make the Blue Jays a much better team. Despite this, Arenado remains the smarter choice for the Blue Jays.
The reason for this is based on how the current Jays roster is constructed. Lindor is a shortstop, a position the Blue Jays have filled with young star Bo Bichette. Bichette has done nothing to show he can't be this team's shortstop for the next decade. He's only 22 and is already one of the Jays best players. On the other hand, Arenado is a third baseman, a position not currently cemented on the Jays roster. We know Guerrero Jr. wants to move back to third base, but it's not a drastic change to the roster's outlook if he remains at first.
The Blue Jays would have to give up some significant assets to complete a deal for either of them. Cleveland is currently a great team and would likely want some MLB players in return. However, the Jays want to add to the MLB roster without taking too much off it; therefore, prospects become more expendable. The Rockies, who finished last season 26-34, might be more accepting towards a return centered around prospects as they look towards the future.
The Rockies desperately need starting pitching, a position that Toronto has spent the past couple of seasons stockpiling their prospect pool with. It's tough to guess who, but likely one or two pitching prospects might have to head back to Colorado as part of a package for Arenado. That's something the Jays management team might be willing to do now that they have stockpiled so many pitching prospects.
Again, there's a very realistic chance neither of these trades happens. If Atkins and his team can upgrade the Blue Jays via free agency to a spot where they are pleased, that route results in the Jays not giving up players in return. However, if the Jays aren't satisfied with free-agency, and these two trades are options for the Jays, Arenado is a better option than Lindor.
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