This is a franchise-definining moment!

 Anybody who reads this blog likely knows that what I am about to say is true.  

How we handle Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco going forward will define this franchise.   Period.

You can't halfway rebuild because you become halfway competitive.   

Either compete or rebuild.   We no longer are in a position to compete AND rebuild if we trade Lindor and Carrasco.

I don't even think we are in a position to compete if we keep Carrasco and trade Lindor, unless the return for Lindor is eye-popping.

So, let's discuss the rebuild.  First, let's put a timeline on it. We will need at least 3 years to rebuild this team which may coincide with when our division weakens up again.  So any asset that we currently have who is unlikely to be around in 2024 AND has real trade value is fair game to be traded.

Our tradeable assets are:

Shane Beiber - Mr. Cy Young could net a hefty return, enough to really jump start the rebuild.  In theory he will be here through 2024.  If we can add a year by renegotiating his contract to give us one of his free agent years then it is worth keeping him for the first two competitive years at the end of the rebuild.  If he is only here in 2024 then he becomes Lindor.   BTW, he is arbitration eligible next winter so, with a season in 2021 that nets another Cy Young, his 3 arbitration years might be too expensive for Cleveland. 

Francisco Lindor - Already discussed.  Not against trading him, just not for trading him for a bag of magic beans.

Carlos Carrasco - Again, get value for him that really helps the rebuild and I am on board.

Jose Ramirez - Mr. almost MVP is, like Beiber, worthless to this team in a rebuild if he won't be around when we come out of that rebuild.  However, he is extremely valuable to other teams.   He is only signed through 2022 and that last year is for $21 million. So, in a rebuild, he is out the door this winter but should net good players/prospects to help in the rebuild

Aside from those 4 there is likely no player on this roster who would fetch in trade as much as he is worth to this team over the next 5 years. 

So, that's the deal.   If you are going to trade Lindor you might as well trade Carrasco, Ramirez and Shane Bieber.   None will be around when we come out of this rebuild.   So they are not fan favorites or key pieces to competing.   They are just assets that should be traded to help our next wave of competitiveness.

So if you trade Lindor, let the rebuild begin....NOW.  Don't try to snow the fans into thinking this compete and plan for the future crap is going to work any more.  Teams are spending money.   We are not.   Last year and the year before showed how screwed we are because we won't pay for players we need to put us over the top.   Stop the tantalizing and come to grips with the reality of cash-strapped ownership.