CLEVELAND — It's always interesting to get a national perspective of the Cleveland Indians. Especially when the the Tribe is at the center of the baseball universe right now with Major League Baseball's All Star Game set for Tuesday night at Progressive Field.
Sunday at PLAY BALL Park inside Huntington Convention Center, former All-Star outfielder and current MLB Network Cliff Floyd stopped by our webcast to talk Tribe and more with Bud Shaw and yours truly.
We touched on a variety of topics, but the one that raised my eyebrows the most was when I asked Floyd about the future of Francisco Lindor in Cleveland.
"The truth is, you build him up and if you know you can't keep him, you get a boatload back," Floyd told us. "You keep him healthy, make sure he's happy, make sure he says the right things about the organization, and then you start filling voids on your roster. That's where the game is at."
RELATED: Indians legend Carlos Baerga to Tribe shortstop Francisco Lindor: 'Stay with us in Cleveland'
Keep in mind, Lindor won't be a free agent until 2021, so there's plenty of time between now and then for the team and Frankie to come to a deal. Remember, owner Paul Dolan did tell Jim Donovan on Opening Day that the club will look for ways to keep Lindor here.
But if the two sides can't work out a long-term deal, Floyd advises the Tribe to start thinking ahead.
"If you can't pay the man, he has to go," Floyd cautioned. "But you have to make sure you're in position to get the maximum out of him and not have your backs against the wall and have to give him away."
Other highlights from our conversation with Cliff Floyd:
On the chase between the Indians and the Twins: "A lot has happened to them (Indians) and to only be six and a half games back is a miracle for them. I thought this division was over a couple of months ago and the Twins were going to run away with it."
On Jose Ramirez's struggles at the plate: "He's fouling off balls that we've seen him crush in the past numerous times. That plays a big part into why guys....stink."
On Terry Francona's ability to keep an even keel with his team despite adversity: "I always think of managers like him as flight attendants, when they're calm and cool, we ain't trippin'. If they're running up and down the aisles, you're like 'Lord have mercy'."
You can watch our entire interview with Cliff Floyd in the player below.
