Francisco Lindor odds: All-Star shortstop likely has played final game for cost-conscious Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians were eliminated in a Wild-Card series sweep by the New York Yankees on Wednesday night. It was the Tribe's 10th straight loss in an elimination game, the longest streak in postseason history. So, it's time to look toward 2021 for the Indians, and by far Cleveland's biggest offseason question is whether to trade superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor. SportsLine MLB oddsmakers believe that Lindor has played his final game for the franchise.

The 2021 Major League Baseball season will begin Thursday, April 1. Obviously, that's if the coronavirus is under control and teams are able to complete a full spring training. Whether fans will be allowed in any stadiums won't be decided for months. Pretty much every MLB owner cried poor this season with no fans allowed and the regular season cut to 60 games.

No doubt finances will play a major role in the MLB offseason. Small-market teams like the Indians will especially be hamstrung. Yes, all 30 teams share equally in national TV money, but it's in local TV deals where some clubs separate themselves from others. The Yankees and Dodgers rake in billions from their TV deals and had easily the two highest payrolls in 2020.

Cleveland is definitely a small-market team and ownership typically has a payroll in the $100 million to $120 million range. Lindor is the best young shortstop in baseball (he will be 27 in November), who is a four-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger Award winner and two-time Gold Glover.

Lindor is eligible for arbitration this winter for the last time ahead of unrestricted free agency after the 2021 season. He's probably going to win around $25 million in arbitration and then demand – and get -- $300 million-plus in free agency. The Indians simply can't afford that.

On Thursday, Lindor was asked about whether the Indians could afford to give him a long-term deal: "Of course. It's a billion-dollar team."

Writer Jeff Schudel at the News-Herald, a paper in a Cleveland suburb, had this line in a recent story: "The Indians are going to need a new face of the franchise when they trade Francisco Lindor this winter …" He was speaking of Jose Ramirez, who is locked up long term. The Indians had approached Lindor's camp about a long-term deal but Lindor wasn't interested.

Cleveland has been proactive in trading top talent early to take advantage of their highest value/before they got really expensive with guys such as CC Sabathia, Cliff Lee, Trevor Bauer, Corey Kluber and, this season, Mike Clevinger. The Boston Red Sox dealt former AL MVP Mookie Betts last winter to the Dodgers after he got a massive raise in arbitration and a year ahead of free agency – Betts already has signed a long-term deal with L.A.

While it's possible the Indians wait until next summer to deal Lindor, they would get more by trading him this winter. Both New York teams surely would have interest. Ditto both Los Angeles teams; the Dodgers could move Corey Seager to third, and Angels shortstop Andrelton Simmons is a free agent.

The Texas Rangers have money to spend in their new stadium and need an upgrade at short over Elvis Andrus, although he's due $14 million each of the next two seasons. The Phillies are never afraid to spend and don't have a shortstop with Didi Gregorius' contract up.

Lindor's status will be one of the hot topics of the Hot Stove League.

Via SportsLine MLB oddsmakers: Will Francisco Lindor be a member of the Indians on Opening Day 2021?

• No -300
• Yes +230

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