Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images. Pictured: Francisco Lindor, New York Mets
The New York Mets acted early to acquire Francisco Lindor and they made sure he wouldn’t go anywhere before it became too late.
Just hours before Opening Day, Lindor agreed to a massive extension worth $341 million over 10 years and will include deferrals, locking him into shortstop in New York for the foreseeable future. This is according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman.
It will be one of the brightest days in the history of the franchise as the team announces this deal presumably before its ace Jacob deGrom takes the mound on Opening Day and the biggest distinction yet that new owner Steve Cohen’s regime will be unlike the Wilpon’s.
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Lindor comes to the Mets after spending his first six seasons with Cleveland, including four All-Star seasons and three seasons finishing inside the top 10 of AL MVP voting. New York sent a hefty package to Cleveland to acquire him, including young shortstops Amed Rosario and Andres Gimenez, which added pressure to get this deal done.
With the potential distraction of Lindor’s impending free agency out of the way, attention can turn to the high expectations in New York. The Mets have playoff aspirations with +1000 odds at DraftKings to win the World Series, +140 odds to win the NL East and a win total of 90.5.
It also takes one of the top options off the market next offseason in what will be a loaded shortstop free agent class.
Corey Seager, Carlos Correa, Trevor Story and Javier Baez are among the options at shortstop next offseason who will be looking for big contracts.
Fernando Tatis Jr. signed a 14-year, $340-million dollar deal earlier this offseason with the Padres.