By: Jared Evan
The Mets and Francisco Lindor remain tens of millions of dollars apart in negotiations on a contract extension with less than 72 hours until the deadline, according to MLB.com.
Met’s Owner Steve Cohen does not seem confident, Lindor will take his final offer.
MLB reported: The Mets have made Lindor an offer of 10 years and $325 million, which would more than double the largest previous commitment in franchise history. Lindor’s camp is seeking a 12-year deal worth $385 million, which would be the largest contract extension in Major League history, topping the 12-year, $365 million deal that Mookie Betts signed with the Dodgers last year
Francisco Miguel Lindor (born November 14, 1993), nicknamed “Paquito” and “Mr. Smile”, is a Puerto Rican professional baseball shortstop for the New York Mets. He previously played for the Cleveland Indians.
Lindor’s stats are excellent. Lindor batted over .300 in both his first two major league seasons and provided outstanding defense. In 2016, he earned each of his first All-Star selection & Gold Glove Award, becoming the first Puerto Rican shortstop to win the Gold Glove Award. He won his first Silver Slugger Award in 2017. He placed second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2015 and was a selection to the 2017 All-WBC Team. He is a 4 time all star and a 2-time Gold Glove winner. He also won the Silver Slugger award twice. He played on the Indians in 2016, when they made it to the World Series for the first time since 1997. MLB mavens consider him on the same level as Derek Jeter.
MLB reported: a source said the Mets’ offer is their best and final attempt to sign Lindor, who has made it clear that he won’t negotiate past Opening Day. The source said the Mets have put their own Opening Day deadline on their offer and stepped away from the negotiating table.
In other words, Lindor can take it or leave it.
If Lindor does not sign, he can become a free agent next winter, joining a class that includes star shortstops Corey Seager, Carlos Correa, Trevor Story and Javier Báez. A source said the Mets’ offer is their best and final attempt to sign Lindor, who has made it clear that he won’t negotiate past Opening Day. The source said the Mets have put their own Opening Day deadline on their offer and stepped away from the negotiating table.
Met’s owner has been engaging with upset Mets fans on Twitter, and based on the conversations he does not seem confident he will win Lindor over to take the offer.
