Cleveland Indians' Francisco Lindor (12) exits the batting cage before Game 2 of an American League ... [+]
The New York Mets did not trade for Francisco Lindor with the idea of him being a one-year stopgap.
The Mets, under new owner Steve Cohen, want the standout shortstop to be a fixture in their lineup for many years to come after getting him from the Cleveland Indians on Jan. 7 in a six-player trade.
“We acquired Francisco because of his present ability and the possibility that he could be a Met long term,” Mets president Sandy Alderson on the day of the trade. “There's no guarantee of that.”
No, there is not. However, the Mets and Lindor might have taken a first step toward a long-term commitment Friday when they agreed on a one-year, $22.3-million contract to avoid a potential salary arbitration hearing next month.
The contract is the fourth-highest one-year deal for a player. It trails only Mookie Betts’ $27 contract with the Boston Red Sox last year – before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers – Nolan Arenado’s $26-million pact with the Colorado Rockies in 2019 and Josh Donaldson’s $23-million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2018.
Coming to agreement is a good initial sign that the two sides could work out a bigger deal.
Lindor is just 27 and a potential foundational piece for the Mets, who have not won a World Series since 1986. He has been selected to four All-Star Games in his first six seasons while also winning two Gold Gloves and two Silver Sluggers.
From a marketing standpoint, signing Lindor to a long-term contract would be a boon for the Mets.
He was a huge fan favorite in Cleveland with his ever-present smile and outgoing personality. While some players get overwhelmed trying to make the adjustment from a small-market city to New York, those who know Lindor insist he will thrive in the nation’s largest media market.
Furthermore, Cohen has already captured the imaagination of many Mets’ fans since buying the team for a record $2.42 billion on Nov. 6. Signing Lindor would only help the franchise on the public relations front.
Lindor said during his introductory teleconference with the New York media earlier this week that he is amenable to listening to offers from the Mets.
“I'm excited to be with the Mets organization,” Lindor said. “I'm not against a long term. I'm not against it. It has to make sense of both sides.”
The only caveat is Lindor does not want to negotiate once spring training opens Feb. 17. That gives the sides just a shade over one month to get something done.
Lindor and the Mets were part of a large trend of arbitration-eligible players agreeing to contracts with their clubs Friday. Of the 125 players who entered the day unsigned for 2021, 112 signed one-year deal and just 13 swapped arbitration figures with their teams.
Hearings are scheduled by held virtually by three-person panels from Feb. 1-19. Players and teams can reach a settlement until a decision is rendered by the panel of arbiters.
However, most teams employ a file-and-trail strategy, meaning they will not negotiate with players once arbitration figures are exchanged.
Six other players also signed one-year contracts worth eight figures: Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant ($19.5 million), Dodgers center fielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger ($16.1 million) and shortstop Corey Seager ($13.75 million), Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner ($13 million), Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez ($11.65 million) and New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge ($10.175 million).
Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa is seeking the largest salary through a potential hearing. He has asked for a raise to $12.5 million from $8 million while the Astros offered $9.75 million.
