NEWSLETTER
There was a moment in which a deal between the Mets and Francisco Lindor didn’t seem like it was going down before the first pitch of the 2021 MLB season, which meant it didn’t seem like an extension would get done at all (that was Lindor’s deadline).
But after making a HEALTHY counter to the Mets’ relatively strong proposal, Lindor got a little more dough and a better AAV to sign on the dotted line.
Breaking: Francisco Lindor and Mets have a deal
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 1, 2021
Francisco Lindor has a 10-year, $341 million deal with the New York Mets, source tells ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 1, 2021
The Mets had offered 10/$325M, Lindor countered with 12/$385M and the final agreement is a 10-year, $341 million deal for the 27-year-old shortstop. And it’s been well-earned, too.
Before being acquired in a trade with Cleveland’s baseball team, Lindor racked up four All-Star appearances, picked up a pair of Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards, and was a Platinum Glove recipient for being baseball’s best defender. Lindor is more than a career .285 hitter who averaged 37 homers and 90 runs batted in between 2017-19. He is a star player, in his peak years, at a premium position, about to play for a big-market team for the first time in his career. It feels like the sky is the limit for Lindor, who has already reached some awesome heights.
I mean, there’s a reason he’s my favorite baseball player who isn’t a Cub.
As for how this impacts the Cubs, Lindor raises the bar for extensions. I’m sure Lindor’s long-time friend Javier Báez sees Lindor’s deal and dreams of breaking the bank (not nearly to this extent, but certainly more is expected after this deal than before). A rising tide lifts all boats and whatnot.
And I suppose one could see it as a silver lining that anyone can come to an agreement on an extension if both sides work hard enough at making it happen. Or if one side decides to reward a popular and excellent player with a much-deserved contract. Sometimes, it’s just that easy. Wink.
