As baseball's two biggest free agents in recent memory remained unemployed, a small glimmer of hope began to build for the Cleveland Indians.
Perhaps baseball's big contract bubble had finally burst, some thought. Maybe Francisco Lindor -- due to become a free agent in 2022 -- might be better off signing a nine-figure extension now than waiting to hit the open market in three years.
On Monday, Lindor disputed such notion, stating that he's not currently interested in signing a long-term extension with the Indians.
"That's not where we are right now. I was focused on arbitration," Lindor, who received a $10.55 million salary in arbitration earlier this offseason told reporters in Goodyear. "That's not where I am."
If Lindor was beginning to close the door on such speculation, Manny Machado just slammed it shut.
On Tuesday, Machado -- who along with Bryce Harper is considered one of baseball's top two free agents this offseason -- brought his prolonged unemployment to an end. According to multiple reports, the 4-time All-Star has agreed to a 10-year, $300 million deal with the San Diego Padres, marking the second richest contract in Major League history.
While Harper's contract -- whenever it comes -- could top it, Machado's new deal will be of particular interest to Lindor, who compares favorably to baseball's second $300 million man. Although Lindor will be two years older than the 26-year-old Machado now is when he's first eligible to hit the open market, his stat line already suggests he could be in line for a similar deal.
One could even argue Lindor will be a more coveted free agent than Machado was.
While traditional stats may slightly favor Machado, who hit for a .297 average, 37 home runs, 107 RBIs and a .367 on-base percentage last season, Lindor (.277 average, 38 home runs, 92 RBIs, .352 on-base) laid claim to a higher WAR (wins above replacement) with his 7.9 topping Machado's 5.5 in 2018. In fact, Lindor has possessed a higher WAR than Machado in each of the past two seasons -- a promising trend in a category commonly used to determine a player's value to his team.
Factor in that Lindor has already established himself as one of baseball's most marketable players -- a scarcity in today's game -- and the 3-time All-Star will have leverage both on and off the field in his prospective negotiations. And while that may be promising for his own financial future, it could come as cause for concern in Cleveland -- if it hasn't already.
The largest contract the Indians have ever signed came two years ago when they inked Edwin Encarnacion to a contract that guaranteed him $65 million over the course of three years. Cleveland wound up trading Encarnacion with a year and club option remaining on the contract this past offseason, having paid the designated hitter $35.15 million over the past two years.
Between the precedent of Machado's deal and the potential for inflation, that number might be what Lindor is looking for as an annual salary by the time 2022 arrives.
A lot, of course, can change in the next three years and for as much speculation as there's already been about his future, Lindor has also said he could see himself finishing his career with the Tribe.
"When it comes to long-term deals, I love the city of Cleveland. I love everything about Cleveland," he said. "We'll see what happens."
He also, however, made it clear he was rooting for Machado and Harper in their respective free agent negotiations.
"I respect them. I hope they max every single penny that they can get,” Lindor said. “It’s good for everybody."
Perhaps no one more than Lindor.