In February, just over a month after the Mets acquired him from the Indians, shortstop Francisco Lindor said he would not be willing to discuss a contract extension during the season. That continues to be the case, the four-time All-Star told Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News and other reporters Tuesday.
“Like I said earlier, I will not be negotiating during the season,” Lindor stated. “I will go to free agency. If something carries on during the season, it’s not fair for me, it’s not fair for the team. I got to give everything I got into winning baseball games. So if it doesn’t happen in spring training, I will go to free agency. We’ll talk in November, December, whenever free agency starts.”
Based on his deadline, New York only has two more weeks to extend Lindor – a pending free agent who was its crown jewel offseason acquisition – but he revealed that the two sides have begun preliminary talks. The club gave up a package consisting of young infielders Andres Gimenez and Amed Rosario, right-hander Josh Wolf and outfielder Isaiah Greene for Lindor and righty Carlos Carrasco as part of an aggressive winter.
With Lindor on track to lead next offseason’s free-agent class, the Mets knew when they swung the deal that it would be a challenge to prevent the 27-year-old from testing the open market several months from now. However, considering the Mets have the majors’ wealthiest owner in Steve Cohen, they have a realistic shot to retain Lindor for what’s likely to be a long-term contract worth at least $300MM. Lindor noted Tuesday that he’s “very comfortable” as a Met, which should only increase their chances of reaching a new deal with him before the month is out.
Lol
thank you for that insight
Agreed. I feel like my IQ grew reading that comment
Talk about massive potential for growth!
Just kidding. I just had to…it was on a tee.
Stop quoting your doctor’s reasons for prescribing the little blue pills.
That is being generous. It implies he has sex.
Mets should wait until the end of the season and see how Lindor performs in New York.
Considering the Betts type money he wants what’s the rush you may just save yourself a ton of money. As a Mets fan I wasn’t as excited as everyone else was; rent him and see what happens.
FA looks good at the end of the year for shortstops anyway.
I agree with you 1000%. See what kind of numbers this guy puts up his first year in New York. Call his bluff on not talking extension during the season. Nothing like a .250 batting average in June to re-engage contract discussions. The number of suitors he will have next offseason will not be many. 1 or 2 other teams at the most. Wait this guys out and you might be able to save a whole lot of money. Giants are about the only team you would have to worry about having the cash to make a run at this guy. Nobody else. Play hardball. You might be able to get this guy down in the $250 million range over 10 years.
I think the Yankees and the Red Sox’s have the money also…
Red Sox and Yankees may have the money ….. Why would they break the bank for another shortstop??? Xander not good enough for BoSox after the massive deal they gave him? Yankee money is not unlimited. Where exactly is Lindor going to play? Let me guess …. You are going to replace Gleyber Torres, who makes minimal money, with Lindor’s break the bank contract. Lindor will have very few suitors. Low ball him and dare him not to take it.
They wouldn’t replace him. They’d slot Lindor at SS, and move Gleyber Torres to 2B, with LeMahieu then becoming the all-purpose rotating position player they originally signed him for. They could also move LeMahieu to 3B or 1B and trade either Urshela or Voit to fill other needs. Or maybe Urshela decides he’s a .230 again. That’s why LeMahieu was an important re-sign for the Yankees this offseason. He gives the Yankees the ultimate infield flexibility moving forward. So, yes, after the Yankees reset their luxury tax this year they will absolutely be in on the SS free-agent class next offseason if Torres does not improve in the field.
Is that their goal? No. They’d certainly prefer Torres improve, but if he doesn’t, adding Lindor’s lefty bat to their heavy RH’d lineup will be on their radar screen. Add in that the belief that Lindor has always wanted to play for the Yankees, and you can see the pressure the Mets are under here. Lindor’s agent knows that. They’re playing that card right now by putting this hard deadline out there.
I believe Lindor will sign a long-term deal with the Mets, but if he reaches free agency, the Yankees and the Dodgers will greatly complicate the picture. Cohen likely doesn’t allow that to happen, and that means Lindor will cash in big time.
@lordd99 The Dodgers don’t typically spend on the free agent market like that. They traded for Betts and then inked him to massive deal. No reason for the Yankees to spend maximum money to get Lindor. It doesn’t matter that Torres and DJ can move their position. Torres makes minimum money. No reason to replace it with Lindor’s maximum money when you have ALOT of other needs to address like starting pitching and catching, and the fact that Stanton and Judge cannot stay healthy.
Rogers, the Jays owners, just made a 28 billion (with a B) purchase of another company today They have the money.
If Seager leaves and Lindor is still on the market, LAD will aggressively pursue Francisco.
I’m thinking it’s fairly certain that one of Lindor, Seager or Story is a Dodger a year from now.
@jaysfan1978 – What does having the money do for you with the Luxury Tax penalties.
@VeryBarry, the Dodgers signing of Betts was a free agent move, even if he hadn’t reached free agency. Like Lindor, the only reason they’re available for trade is because of free agency. They traded for him knowing he was going to be a free agent and then bought him out for $365M! The threat of pending free agency and the fact they traded prospects drove that deal. So they traded talent and paid huge money for Betts. They paid twice. The Dodgers also were bidding heavily on Cole with a $300M+ offer. And, of course, we saw they can also be innovative on structuring shorter term, high priced free-agent deals too as they did with Bauer. The Dodgers will want to sign Seager, but if he tests free agency, their attention will include Lindor, and they have a lot of money coming off the books.
The Mets I believe will do the same here as the Dodgers. They’re playing the free agent game too by acquiring Lindor for actual MLB talent and now will have to buy him out of his free agency. It will be expensive, and unlike the Dodgers who were able to use the pandemic overhang to get Betts to sign before free agency, the Mets won’t have that. They’ll be buying his free agency out at full price.
The Yankees? They won’t care about the price of Lindor anymore than they cared about Cole once the new CBA is in place and their tax reset. As said, Torres won’t be going anywhere. They’ll simply redeploy him to a position they think he’s better suited for if his defense doesn’t improve. The injuries to someone like Judge is another reason they may go in big for Lindor. Sanchez will be gone after 2022. Judge could be too. The Yankees have always liked Lindor, and he’s liked them. Their preference historically is to not pay twice, with prospects and money. They’ll await for their target to hit free agency. The Mets will ensure that doesn’t happen.
Lindor has nothing to lose short of having a catastrophic injury. Even with a down year he’ll get $200M+. The Mets will sign him with some number starting with a 3.
@jimthegoat, Yes. Those who are banking on the number of star free agent SS’s all hitting free agency and that somehow then depressing the market haven’t really thought this through. Every star SS who hits free agency means an opening just occurred elsewhere for a stud free agent SS. The Dodgers lose Seager to free agency? Well, then the Dodgers need a stud SS to replace Seager.
Great SS’s will be paid. Frankly, Lindor’s all-around game and athleticism is exactly why the Dodgers were all in on Betts. They’ll be all in on Lindor too for that very reason.
@lordd99, I hadn’t considered the Yankees moving Gleyber to 3B, but you’re right. Gleyber’s strongest position defensively is likely third base. He has the arm, and third is a total reaction position, which would eliminate some of the defensive lapses he has at short. Plus, since he’s played both short and second, he’s fully adept at playing the other infield positions required now of third baseman on teams that have heavy shifts.
Gleyber, Lindor and DJLM at 3B, SS and 2B would be an awesome defensive unit. I don’t want Gio to go anywhere, but if he regresses, or he can fetch another piece, I’d be totally open to moving him. Also, can’t rule out the Yankees moving Gleyber in a deal for someone like Castillo.if the Reds decide to cash him in next year.
Dodgers will not lose Seager to free agency. He is a good player, but the rest of the league ain’t feeling him like that. Dodger fans have grown quite cocky after their 60-game season title. The 60-game title has not erased the 40 years of World Series fails prior to that. Talk about the epitome of a team making the playoffs every year with no rings to show for it until the 60-game pandemic season comes along. Now their fans have become these baseball expert snobs like they win titles every year.
“ @VeryBarry, the Dodgers signing of Betts was a free agent move, even if he hadn’t reached free agency. Like Lindor, the only reason they’re available for trade is because of free agency. They traded for him knowing he was going to be a free agent and then bought him out for $365M! The threat of pending free agency and the fact they traded prospects drove that deal. So they traded talent and paid huge money for Betts. They paid twice”
They paid twice? Didn’t realize that trade package got them Betts for a dozen years. Here I was thinking it was just for one year, 2020
He could be in a different uniform this very moment if not for the extension. They are two different moves
Very Barry .?
Luxury tax penalties is something the Mets will face too.
Lindor is a switch hitter & he will be a Met for a long time.
Lindor is a switch hitter, not just a left handed hitter.
Mets have quite a bit coming off the books next year. At the same time, they’ll be adding just as much, so if done wisely, they may still reside under the threshold.
AGAIN they would NOT be replacing anything! Maybe your husband can explain it to you!
Nothing at all!
@Very Barry,
What’s not to feel cocky about? 8 division championships in a row, playing in the World Series 3 out of the last 4 years, current WS Champs. At some point even if you’re not a fan of a team you have to give credit where credit is due. For example, the Giants are our enemy but I have mad respect for their 3 out of 5 stretch. How did the Dodgers hurt you that you’re so angry at us fans? Also, it was a 32 year drought not 40 years. Rounding up like that just shows how eager you are to minimize the accomplishments.
First of all Lindor has NEVER said he always wanted to play for the Skankees. Stop your lying. Second, the Yankees cannot afford Lindor. That’s why they never went after Realmuto. Don’t you know your own team? THEY ARE NOT going over luxury tax. Especially that much.
Typical Skankee fan, wanting an all star on every position and on the bench
.
But what is nice is……when was the last time they won the WS? And I’m not talking about the 30’s and 40’s when there was NO competition.
GET A LIFE
I predict that 3 years from now Lindor will move to 3rd base for the Mets and Mauricio will go into shortstop. He’ll be up next season and will play around the infield for two years replacing Guillorme and or J D Davis. I’d be very surprised if the Mets don’t sign Lindor inside of 2 weeks.
@Very Barry- $250 for 10 years isn’t going to be enough. Mets got to start at $350 for 10 years to have a chance. Cohen should just offer him the $ now.
Who else is in position to offer $350 million? Giants have a lot of money coming off the books. They would be only other “real” suitor. The point being made was that if Lindor has a “down” first year with the Mets you could get him at a depressed price. Subpar season combined with a lack of suitors should equal quite the bargain for the Mets as opposed to an overpay. This dude is 27 and his defense ain’t improving.
Nah, you said it man. You figure in the player’s mind, he’s made it to free agency and wants 10/350 at least and if you’re the Mets, you don’t know if he’s Roberto Alomar in his prime or if he’s the Roberto Alomar you signed beyond his prime. Not a fair comparison, I know, but with this many quality FA SS, you’d be foolish beyond 10/300 for sure and might be foolish if you don’t see how good he is over the course of the year.
Unfortunately for Lindor, he’s really not that much in control of this while I understand he’s just seen Tatis Jr. sign an ‘extension’ for more.
I agree, the Mets should wait. Maybe not until the end of season, but at least see how he does in NY.
I wonder if anyone asked Lindor whether this means he feels players who sign deals mid-season are not giving everything they have to win games?
Why would they pay the trade price for him only to wait to see if he performs in NY? I don’t think there is that much of a pressure cooker in a 10% capacity Chiti Field.
If anything, I’d say that increases the pressure on the Mets to maximize the trade and sign Lindor to an extension, just as the Dodgers did with Mookie.
The “pressure of ny” thing is bull. Theres fans and cameras everywhere else. I live here and im tired of hearing it. Remember when Beltran couldnt handle it his first year… oh waitv41 HR and NLCS the next year… remember when ARod couldnt handle it… oh yeah MVP his second season
You’re actually contradicting your argument while making another one entirely.
The fact that both of those guys struggled somewhat in their first seasons in NY suggests there is something to the whole “pressure of NY” thing. I am NYC / LI born and bred, but have lived in many other places that aren’t like NYC, and I def think there’s something to it.
But also, the fact that their first years were rough and they went on to be excellent suggests the Mets should take the 6 season sample everyone already has on Lindor and lock him up ASAP. Even if he takes a season to acclimate to NYC, it’s ultimately going to be the right move, because he’s been one of the few best SS in MLB history through his age 26 season. That’s a strong foundation to stand on, and there’s no reason to need to see another season of that kind of performance to know he warrants the investment.
Beltran having a down year his first in NY means nothing. You’d have to look across history at all players’ first year in NY and see an unusual pattern of struggle. I really don’t think you’d find that pattern because the idea that it’s more difficult to play in NY is made up nonsense. There’s no actual statistical evidence for it and when folks try to provide evidence they end up cherry picking anecdotes.
Thats what im saying. The “pressure of playing in NY” is BS. The guys that haave urine running down their legs on the mound are gone waaaaaay before they make the show.
Not entirely. If that magical mystery pressure of us New Yorkers and our reporters were real, theys never have recovered from their steuggles? Hell, they werent even BAD in their first seasons.
@cosmo2 im all in agreement with you. Thats what i was trying to portray
Why didn’t the article say that he said that the Mets and him started negotiating even if it’s not close rn. That’s something pretty big left out.
This is an unlikely hypothetical: If he doesn’t sign an extension and has a down year would you want Lindor to stay because he was in the big trade or would you want a new SS like Story, Baez, or Seager.
“would you want Lindor to stay because he was in the big trade or would you want a new SS like Story, Baez, or Seager.”
What big trade? In news only. Mets did not give up that much and got Carrasco as a SP.
Yes if he has a down year let someone else give him 300-400 million and I would happily take new SS like Story, Baez, Simmons, or Seager.
Because, of course, it’s an absolute guarantee that all of those guys will perform up to a massive contract?
Other SS will not get as massive of a contract as Lindor will get. Mets got Lindor this year for next to nothing. Money this year saved on Cano alone pays for Lindor in 2021. Players you gave up are worth a SP alone let alone a rental year on Lindor.
No reason to pay this guy now. No reason at all.
Call his bluff all day long. If he has a good year then he was expected to; that’s not going to drive his value up any significant way.
@Canosucks Exactly. Even if Lindor walks, the Mets still have Carrasco and didn’t give up a ton. That trade is already a win.
Lindor’s spring play really isn’t helping Cohen sign that 300M check. His OPS is 1.100 points below Seager hahaha
Jewel of the class? Only to the NY media
LOL ST stats.
When a player was mediocre last year, I’d rather see them succeed in ST than continue to be mediocre before giving him 300M
@Lurking, and that’s why you’re a fan.
Spring training games and stats don’t matter for established players.
Meh, id bet it impacts the Mets offer. Say what you want
If he was hitting 500 with a 1.700 OPS (cough Seager) Cohen would be way more open to the record deal than he seems to be, imo
Rn, Lindor is only being offered the Mets price
Something tells me that 21 plate appearances this Spring have little to no bearing to his price.
Change his price in his mind? Probably not
But Those 21 PA likely have a bearing on the Mets willingness to meet his price vs saying “talk to you in Nov”. That is my point
“But Those 21 PA likely have a bearing on the Mets…”
Nope. Not one bit.
21 plate appearances is like 4-5 regular season games. If the Mets are really heavily taking into consideration 4-5 games worth of plate appearances in pre-season, then they’re running the organization wrong. Spring Training has zero bearing on a big contract. I doubt the Mets are thinking “Good thing we didn’t sign Lindor to a big $350-$400 million contract before Spring Training. Now that he’s struggling in his first 21 plate appearances of the pre-season, we can bring that price down to around $300 million or even lower.”
Right. And it’s not even the equivalent of 4-5 regular season games. In Spring Training, players are getting their timing down, and sometimes simply working on different approaches, experimenting with different stances, throwing garbage pitches as they work on different grips, in games that don’t matter. I read this somewhere recently, but there was a game that Andy Pettitte was pitching in Spring Training, and he got hit pretty hard. When asked about it after, he basically said he was working on his changeup, which was a pitch he didn’t throw that often since he would use his cutter in those situations during games that matter. Sure enough. like 2/3rds of his pitches in the game were changeups. He threw more changeups in those couple of innings in a meaningless spring game than he did the first month of the season. So his stats meant nothing, and the hitters stats also meant nothing. Just players working their way into game shape.
No, they do not. Have you watched a ST game?
25 ST ABs are definitely a valid data set to base decisions on.
I think it was Steve Cohen who once said:
“Even Steve Cohen has a limit as to how much money he can spend.”
And that limit is somewhere well above $2.4B. I don’t think Lindor has anything to worry about on that front.
Why would Lindor sign with the Mets now instead of after the season? Some team not named met might give him 400 million over 10 years, he can always sign with the Mets. Will the Mets really be a contender, We will know more after the season and so will Lindor.
Anyone who gives him 400 million is beyond foolish. Great player, but worth the biggest contract in history? Not.
Words that have been said many times in the last about other feee agents. There’s always a new record coming.
*past*
Of course the record will be broken but my point is that a: 400 million is way too much for anyone and it takes a Betts-type talent to even flirt with such money, and b: Lindor is no Betts. Very good, but not worth setting a record over.
Bird in the hand.
Hedge against a possible poor year.
Injury.
Many reasons.
The only player that could command 400 mil is my boy Juan Soto
Seems like Lindor is basically saying he wants a mega-contract now or else he’s hitting free agency. If that’s the case, I say let him. I’m not comfortable giving anyone 300 million
I don’t think you’re writing the checks.
No, I’m not accounting, I’m the complaint department.
Those are literally the only 2 options he’s got.
It’s a roll of the dice. If he had a great year, they may have to overpay to keep him. If he has a lousy year, they save money on a new contract or let him go.
I don’t think Lindor is going to settle for $300M. I agree with people, wait until the season is over, see how he does in New York, see where New York thinks they are going into next off season. Lindor is pretty good at everything, not the best of the best at anything. His averaged qualities outweighs his specific quality.
I just don’t think he’s gonna go for $300M if he can smell $400M or whatever it is….
Lol 400 mil?
@dodgerok- Brilliant! Simply brilliant!
I hope the Mets resign Lindor if it makes Friedman resign Seager faster.
Every time I turn on a dodger game, Corey hits another HR.
With what money? Cohen is already topped out once Cano is back on the books and then has his prison cell booked for right after that’s paid off.
I think what he’s saying is, “only one year here, I can do this. Then I’ll sign a 300 mil deal somewhere else.”
He’ll find his one dumb owner somewhere else
Lindor to the Red Sox. The first of many. They will be the powerhouse soon. It is written.
I wish I could give this comment a thumbs down.
That’was the Boston idiot writers thing earlier this season. The RS have Bogaerts. They won’t be going after Lindor.
Don’t rush an extension. So many top tier SS will be available. I would want to see him perform in NY for a full season, then decide.
Pretty indifferent towards Lindor and the Mets but want him to go to FA just to make all of the people on here and other sites who acted like him signing an extension was some kind of foregone conclusion look bad.
There will be a work stoppage. The SS market is loaded. Mets and other teams (sans SD) with top SS seem to be waiting until they know the rules of the game in 2022 and beyond. Even if it isn’t Lindor, the Mets will have an AS caliber SS when the dust settles. As for Lindor, you maximize your salary by negotiating with 30 teams, not 1 team. Lindor is going to FA.
Pretty sure the rules will still include the SS position under the new CBA.
Lindor is worth what someone will pay. He’s well rounded offensively and defensively, but not the dominant offensive player that carries teams. He had a forgettable 2020 which may or may not mean anything. I can’t help thinking about the discussion, before he entered FA, about Heyward being a “hi floor guy ‘ bc of his defense. We know how that turned out.
Lindor has a niche on the Mets in that he’d be their best every day player. He’d also be their only ‘Supet Contract’. That means Cohen might be inclined to over pay. Lindor is the youngest of the prominent FA and that will be a factor too.
Too many longterm $30+ million dollar contracts jam the club up and limit the ability to refresh talent when needed. The NYY are a good example with Stanton and Cole. Dodgers will have the same problem after they sign a second one in addition to Betts. Short term they even have room for Bauer, but once all of their young talent gets paid in Arbitration and they have a 2nd Super Contract then they will be in CBT Hell for years to come.
The truth of the matter is that individual Superstars are not what drives championships. It’s the surplus value of the lesser paid players that does it. If you have a strong base of productive lower paid players then a Super Contract guy can put you over the top. Moodie joined a very good team, Tampa might be a WS winner with two strategic Super Contracts added to last season’s roster (not what’s left of it now). Phillies don’t look all that great even with Harper and Realmuto who are both just shy of $30 million Super Contract threshold.
Yes, this! Well said, Citi!
Glad somebody besides the Indians now have to deal with this immature lunkhead. Grow up Frankie.
I’d let him play out the season and negotiate in free agency. Don’t see him giving the Mets a discount before plays a single game in NY and most of the big spenders are either set at shortstop or they’ve maxed payroll. Im not so sure he’s going to command that kind of money. He’ll get paid a lot of money no doubt but this years offseason has shown us every million counts. Hand cleared waivers at 10m but signed close to that money
As a selfish Mets fan offer go up to the $300 mil & if doesn’t take it let him walk. It’s not my $$. If they don’t make a valid offer then they’re the Wilpons 2.0. Even they paid Piazza & Cespedes.