Dodgers: How big of an upgrade is Francisco Lindor over Corey Seager?

Postseason and all the rest

Francisco Lindor has made several postseason runs with the Cleveland Indians and he has performed well in the postseason.  For his career, he has a playoff slash line of .276/.337/.483 with five home runs in 87 postseason at-bats.  Corey Seager has struggled in the postseason including this year’s NLDS.

In 118 playoff at-bats, Seager has hit 3 home runs with a slash line of .203/.275/.331.  While Lindor has been pretty close to his career numbers in the postseason, Corey Seager has struggled to live up to expectations in October.  While past playoff numbers can’t predict future postseason failure or success, it’s pretty clear that Seager has a lot to prove in the postseason.

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Another thing that Francisco Lindor brings with him is speed.  Corey Seager has stolen 10 bases in his big league career and is a fairly slow runner.  Lindor stole 22 bases this season and has stolen 47 bases over the last two seasons.  He is also a traditional leadoff hitter with speed, which is something the Dodgers have lacked in recent years.  So is Lindor a big upgrade over Seager?

Offensively the answer is no.  Corey Seager is an above-average hitter at the shortstop position for as long as he sticks there.  If he shifts over to third base then his production gets viewed much differently.  Defensively, Francisco Lindor is a big upgrade and he also brings speed and past postseason success along with him.

If the Dodgers were to deal Seager away to get Lindor it’s a move that should help but it won’t move the needle much for 2020.  If the blue were to acquire Lindor while keeping Seager and shifting him to third base, then that is a whole different story.  Not only would that upgrade the Dodgers’ defense on the left side of the infield, but it would add another star to the lineup.

Lindor is also going to make roughly half of what Anthony Rendon will make for next season.  Acquiring Lindor would leave the Dodgers with enough money under the luxury tax line to go add another starting pitcher or reliever.  It will be interesting to follow the Lindor rumors and see if Seager’s name gets attached to the rumors.  If the Dodgers can acquire Lindor while keeping Seager then that is a big move for the 2020 season.