Yankees predicted to trade for Mets star Francisco Lindor to solve major issue

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The New York Yankees could use an upgrade at shortstop.

The New York Mets could consider trading Francisco Lindor.

Could there be a Big Apple match to be made?

That's what ESPN's Jorge Castillo wrote as part of a new article on Tuesday. He predicts that the Mets could trade Lindor to the Yankees.

It'd be a shocking deal on a number of levels, from the caliber of player traded to the teams agreeing to the deal.

"You don't normally see players going from the Mets to the Yankees, especially not stars of this caliber," Castillo writes. "But in this fantasy world we're operating, emotions aren't a factor."

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Given the way the Mets are entirely out of the race, and how they might need to take a different approach to their future, this wouldn't be totally out of the question.

"The Yankees need to address shortstop and could use another difference-making player with Aaron Judge nursing a rib injury," Castillo writes. "Lindor, who has full no-trade protection at this point, can stay in New York and play for a contender. And the Mets would be able to shed a big contract while breaking up the Lindor dynamic with Juan Soto, which clearly is not working. How much of Lindor's remaining contract -- five years and $160 million after this season -- the Mets are willing to absorb will impact what kind of talent they want back. The Yankees wouldn't offer George Lombard Jr. -- who can come up and play third base, another position of need. But maybe they can offer another shortstop in Dax Kilby, last year's No. 39 overall pick."

The one other risk here is that the Yankees could end up blocking Lombard once the phenomenal prospect proves he's ready for the MLB level.

But when you're the Yankees, you don't operate on future concerns like that. You make moves to win right now.

Getting Lindor would be a huge deal for the Yanks, and a major reset button by the Mets -- and both teams could need it.