New Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor revealed that there’s “mutual interest” in an extension, though he believes “it’s too early” for serious talks to start, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com. Lindor said in early January, shortly after the Mets acquired him from Cleveland, that he wouldn’t want to discuss a new contract during the season. His feelings on that subject seemingly remain the same, as he notes, “It would be unfair for me and the rest of the team to have ongoing conversations on an extension, and we show up on Opening Day and our mind is somewhere else.” Considering Lindor’s stance, the Mets figure to spend the next month-plus trying to lock up the 27-year-old, who has been a premier player throughout his career and who was the biggest acquisition the club made in the offseason.
- The Astros’ Carlos Correa could join Lindor as part of a star-studded class of free-agent shortstops next winter, but he would also like to secure a new deal before the upcoming season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com writes. “If the Astros want to extend me, I would like to get it done before the season starts,” Correa said. “I feel good, my body feels great and I feel I’m going to have such a great season. Once the season starts, I don’t want to be involved and distracted with those conversations.” Correa, 26, put up uncharacteristically mediocre production in 2020, but he stayed healthy for the first time in a few seasons. He avoided arbitration Feb. 6 with an $11.7MM agreement for 2021, but he and his agent haven’t heard from the Astros about a long-term deal since then, McTaggart relays.
- Indians ace Shane Bieber hasn’t discussed a long-term deal with the club, but he’d be willing to do so, Zack Meisel of The Athletic tweets. The Indians don’t necessarily have to urgently sign Bieber, who won’t be eligible for arbitration until after 2021 or free agency until the end of 2024. But with the club’s low budget in mind, it could behoove it to extend the reigning AL Cy Young winner sometime soon.
- Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette told Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet and other reporters that he’s open to an extension, but the team hasn’t made him an offer so far. The 22-year-old Bichette has been a revelation for the Blue Jays dating back to his 2019 debut, having slashed .307/.347/.549 with 16 home runs and eight stolen bases in 340 plate appearances. Fortunately for Toronto, it isn’t in danger of losing Bichette in the near future, which would explain the lack of urgency in inking him to an extension. Bichette still has two pre-arbitration years remaining and isn’t slated to reach free agency until after 2025.
Bo needs to prove he can stay healthy to earn that extension
His 2019 season was ended by a concussion, and there were more injuries league-wide last season, probably as a result of the irregular schedule. To think he’s anything close to injury prone is a stretch.
It’s more the injuries have limited his development as he’s only had 319 big league at bats so far. Not saying he’s injury prone just hasn’t had a good long stretch yet
He’s done nothing but hit even when dealing with injuries. If Blue Jays get a chance to lock him up they should take it.
You speak as if he’s hitting .350 and leading the league in several statistical categories…..the truth is, so far .300ish with less than 400 at bats isn’t going to get anyone aside from Blue Jay fans excited.
Gets me excited. Yeah that’s great. Probably my favorite player outside of the Cards.
Rocky7 your comment is a burning hot take. Torres was a “super star” and selected to an all star team without hitting over .300 in less than 400 abs so I think it’s fair to say Bo gets more than just Jays fans excited
BA is your indicator of if somebody is a good hitter?
Mike Trout only bats 300-ish and is he not an exciting hitter? Acuna Jr. only hits about .280 and I think he’s one of the most exciting hitters in today’s game.
Yes BA is a measure of a good hitter. Operative word is hitter. That doesn’t negate the value of a higher OBP from a high walk rate or the value of a strong Slugging rate.
With equal walk rates then BA and slugging differentiate between hitters.
That’s a dumb comment. A SS that hits .300/.550slg/.900ops is an exciting player. It may be too early to extend him but I think he is a toolsy player to build around, along with Biggio and Guerrero.
.896 ops in first 300abs is pretty exciting lol a .549 slugging? Yeah those are fantastic numbers for a 22 year old who hasn’t reached his prime. Not sure exactly what you are looking for in a 22 year old player but man I will take that any day of the week and be excited about it and what he can become. Smh
It’s just a small sample size. Jeff Francoeur hit a very similar .300/.336/.549 in his first season of 274 PA at age 21. He was a can’t miss prospect too. I don’t *think* Bo Bichette will fall off the map but right now I’m not convinced he’s a career 900 OPS guy either. Let’s see him play another year before extending him.
unless behind the scenes stuff is going on, it feels like Lindor’s going to hit the open market. not a lot of time left before the season
The Mets really got to sign Francisco Lindor to a contract extension before the season starts. $360 million for 10 years definitely seems fair for both parties.
That won’t get it done
Lol trumpets mad-10 yrs at $360m sounds like more than enough. He would be tied with Trout and Cole for the highest aav per year. I say he gets less than that. 10 yrs 320m
10 years, $341 million. He will demand to have the largest total value contract of any SS ever. He will get it.
they dont “need” to. as long as the SS market stays saturated in 2021-22 it decreases his negotiating power.
Doesnt matter how saturated it is… Lindor is a top 3 talent in all of baseball. He will get the money he desires.
Top 3? Waoo
he’s very good but I dont think he’s far enough better then the other SSs on the market so that a team like the Mets would be too far set back to settle for, say, Seager.
Top 3?
I know what you are saying – it just sounds funny to hear “settle for” Seager. Makes the point.
He’s not getting a Mookie extension. My guess is he gets something like Stanton got, 12 years for $320 million.
Because you think he won’t take Steve Cohen’s money once he’s a free agent or because you think his price will be higher next year on the free market versus now?
He sees what Tatis got with an injury history and still being pre-arb and he’s going to expect more as a FA.
the who “injury history” thing with Tatis seems way overstated at this point.
More like understated. The best kind of ability is availability.
Not touching injury, but if you take Tatis into account, we are talking 10/300 for a Lindor deal – if so, Mets should do that.
10/360? Now that’s funny.
Lindor for 10 years 320 million that would be my best hypothesis for an extension.
But in my opinion he deserves a contract better than Mookie’s.
Why?
Mookie’s contract was signed as MLB and the world was confronting the unknown of a 100-year pandemic and the season potentially be shut down. He decided not to proceed with free agency. That will not be the case with Lindor.
he also got a lot more the poeple thought given the circumstances and the Dodgers also just gave Bauer loco AAV so its clear the pandemic isnt deterring them that much
wait what !!!! a better contract than Mookie hahaha don’t think so Mookie has MVP plus 2 rings he’s shown he can carry his team for long periods of time what’s your case for Lindor what has he done to deserve a better contract than Mookie ??????
If Mookie and Frankie switched (original) organizations, their FORTUNES would probably be reversed, including the MVP.
Lindor is the best proved SS in the game with elite defense and elite offense, he just didn’t have a good last year like Mookie had, and both are equally as important to a franchise
u must be the most delusional weirdo on here wtf !!!! if they changed original organizations that’s just dumb !!!!
He’s not as good a player as Betts. Betts has hardware and rings.
Just rings and being part of rich teams, just remember this is the first time that Frankie is part of a team with money that can be spent.
that means jackshit when it comes to MVP buddy
Sure buddy, but when it comes to it Mookie isn’t the best outfielder in the game and Lindor is the best SS in the game.
You can’t compare Lindor to just SS and Mookie to ALL the OFers. Mookie is arguably the best RF, and Lindor is arguably the best SS.
I never respond to these. Just read, but come on, better then and deserves more then Mookie, open your eyes. Doesn’t matter if you play for a rich team or not, i.e. Tampa Bay. Mookie carries the team on his back, Lindor has not proved that in Cleveland and needs to now that he is playing for a large market in NY. He may think he deserves more but no one outside of NY is gonna pay him big with the amount of talented SS hitting market next year. My best guess, deservingly, would be in neighborhood of 8 yrs/ 240 mil
Mookie is surrounded by All-Stars in each position, Aces in each spot of the Rotation. Before he got there they had been the best team in the NL for at least 4 years, Mookie was the final piece to their puzzle not the one who carried the team.
And Mookie got the money he got for being in LA everyone knew that Lindor was going to get a lot more money even when he was in Cleveland. And 30 a year isn’t the price for the best SS in the game.
Lindor is worth much more than $240 million. Mookie is a better player, but it’s not fair to compare their ability to “carry” a team when Mookie has only played for big market teams that can spend over $200 million a year, whereas Lindor has spent his career on a team that barely gets over $100 million a year.
@ajrodz1335 – Mookie is a better player than Lindor, so he deserves more. It doesn’t matter that Mookie is in LA, he is clearly the better player. Lindor will probably get around $320 million.
Playing for big market means nothing. Mookie got what he deserved. Just cause you play in a big market means winning, look at Philly. Lindor will get the big payday IF he signs before free agency, otherwise he will over value himself next FA market time with all the talented SS on Market, Seager bring one, NLCS and WS MVP on his resume. While Lindor is a much better defensive SS, Seager is the better bat, so if Lindor gets the 341 as most are saying then Seager gets 360 for 10 yrs
Close, but I’m thinking 330ish.
Lindor is going to expect to become the highest paid SS in MLB. That means he will be looking for a bare minimum contract of $341 million.
Now hold that thought at $320 million and compare his accomplishments and career to Tatis Jr., who the Padres foolishly just signed him to $340 Million with a fraction of accomplishment comparatively.
The totals matter less than the AAV. Padres took a risk, but may have gotten a steal.
Or screwed
If they changed organizations? Lindor has had some great teams in Cleveland and although he was a great player he never carried a team like Mookie. I think Mookie is best player in mlb. As for Lindor being a top 3 player in the mlb, he is maybe the 3rd best ss in the mlb so that just doesn’t fit
Why would Lindor want to resign with a scumbag organization like the Mutts? Maybe he isn’t into the whole first baseman at every other position strategy.
Makes sense. The Mets (Mutts – lol!!!!!!!!!!!) should just fold up & dissolve the team.
Idiot
If the Mets fail to make the playoffs I would think signing Lindor will be a lot harder since he wants to contend. As a Nats fan I would be fine with that. The Mets should lock him up now
EXTEND THE HAIR
It’s too valuable
Bryan?
The Tatis extension probably makes it harder for the Mets to extend Lindor and I didn’t see a Lindor extension being all that likely to begin with. If Tatis can get $340m when he’s four years out from FA and has an injury history Lindor should have no problem getting that much.
He wants to be a dodger
everyone does !!!
Doubt the dodgers want him. Dodgers wanna keep their WS MVP
He isn’t going anywhere. Don’t get your hopes up guys.
we both want our SS to stay
Turner is so good. I hate facing him bc a single turns to a double with him. He also could just hit a HR.
For me its Conforto, now with Frankie that could be scary especially with runners on. Nimmo drives me crazy ngl
I think he tests FA only to sign with the Mets.
I’d be so nervous. But I think Cohen keeps him.
Yes, the Mets traded some really good prospects their not just going to let him walk away. Besides Lindor wants to stay with the Mets. No reason why they won’t want him playing shortstop for the next 10 years. $350-360 million easy with Cohen’s big pockets. Lindor probably stays.
Bauer is a better SS than Lindor
1. they’re*
2. They don’t get to “let” or “not let” him do anything
3. According to who does he want to stay with the Mets?
4. Why would anyone want to stay with the Mets?
3. According to who does he want to stay with the Mets?
============================================================
I assume that was pretend talk. He’s not played a single game for NY
lol
He wants out already i bet
Of course he does. It’s absolutely astonishing that he even got on a plane and left Cleveland. I’m sure he considered hijacking the plane mid flight. I don’t understand how that didn’t happen
Does anyone really believe that the richest owner in baseball would OK a trade for a top 20 player that only makes sense if you extend him and then not extend him? This will get done.
The smiling mercenary (Lindor) is going to want in the area of $400 million or more and he’ll probably get it. I don’t know if the Mets will want to go that high.
If Lindor gets $400 million, I will eat my hat.
Mets are going to trade Lindor to the Dodgers for Bauer at the trade deadline.
MLBTR apparently skeered of being cancelled by the woke crowd. Shame.
trippin. best site on the web
The mets have an atrocious farm. They are pretty much forced to make the highest bid for lindor’s services. Trading for him and letting him leave would be silly. Even the dodgers recognized trading for mookie and letting him leave made no sense and they are the best organization in mlb
1. The Mets don’t get to “let” or “not let” Lindor do anything.
2. Why would trading for him be silly if he walks? Was the Cubs trading for Chapman silly? How about the Cardinals trading for Heyward? The Padres trading for Justin Upton? Teams trade for one year rentals and then don’t sign them all the time. Heck, even Betts didn’t extend without the Dodgers basically matching what he would have gotten in FA.
Yes. All those were silly. Trading gleyber torres for a half year of aroldis chapman was terrible. Even if chapman was amazing it would be bad. And he wasnt good in the playoffs. Never is. Jason heyward? Really? The guy cant hit. Hes a 180 million dollar defensive player. The fact that stupid teams trade a bounty for a rentall all the time doesnt make it wise
So basically you are saying that the player’s final year of arb has no value.
No value? Ofcourse not. Im saying trading 7 years of control over top prospects for a half season of a player is organizational malpractice.
So trading Gleyber Torres for Aroldis Chapman was organizational malpractice? Ditto Max Fried for Justin Upton? How about Sean Manaea for Ben Zobrist? How about Yusniel Diaz and Dean Kremer for Manny Machado?
FWIW Baseball Trade Values said the package the Mets gave up was basically fair for one year of Lindor.
The hilarious thing is that Andres Gimenez had the same OPS+ last year as Lindor!
I’m sure the Tribe will be quite pleased with seven years of control over the 21 year old Gimenez.
If Lindor walks the Mets have Mauricio for 2022 and the inevitable QO decline by Lindor. The worst case scenario is not entirely bad. Option 2 is going after one of the many free agent SS available in less than 9 months.
Who are you guaranteeing to be available? I think the stros lock up correa. I think the dodgers lock up seager. Story could be the only guy available next offseason. We will see
Until they are locked up they are available.
The money for these players isnt all that crazy as it seems. Its the years that are crippling!
Cleveland’s baseball squadron better lock up the Biebs or else he might get lonely.
There will be lots of FA SS available.
Lindor is the youngest, but still 5 years older than Tatis. (27 vs 22)
Tatis is a beast 6’3″ 218 vs Lindor at 5’11” 190
Lindor is right in the middle of his prime 10 years takes him out to his age 37 season. That’s more than long enough.
Lindor should get less than Tatis. He may not, but Tatis is a better value.
There are plenty of SS available and probably not enough teams to bid into the high $200 – $300 million dollar range. Let the market thin out if guys play games like Realmuto. He was more than fairly compensated at 5 / $115.
Best and final on Lindor 10 / $320MM LAD might top it or LAA, but no one else is built to win and willing to pay up. I’d argue Atlanta should.
Was going to post but ya took the words right outta my mouth
Intel always worth a couple extra mill down the line if need be-
Lets at least see Lindor for 75 games in NY before we open up talks
A year ago I got a ton of heat by my fellow LAD fans for saying Lindor was better than Seager….while I cant say the same today the bigger point being that the last years info has tons of value…..And as we take a peek forward it just so happen Seager will……..
The braves would NEVER sign a player to a contract like Lindor will command.
Jays had 2nd best offer in for Lindor and obviously were willing to give up good prospects with the intent to try and extend him. If he hits free agency, Im sure they’ll still be interested. I wouldn’t count them out. Bichette has already stated he’d be willing to move positions so that likely wouldn’t be an issue either.
You don’t give up good prospects for the chance to extend a guy.
Well if you did any reading, you’d know they had the 2nd best offer in. So obviously they were willing to
And thats exactly what the mets just did
Lindor will get 400 million.
I don’t think so, you have Story, Correa, Seager and Lindor.
For every star SS that enters free agency, that means there’s a team that now has an opening that was filled by a star SS. They’ll all get paid.
I would guess only one of them makes it to free agency
Too soon for a Bo extension. One because Bo has 300 or so at bats. It’s likely the Jays will need another piece or two after the 2021 season that will be a priority over locking up Bo.
I like the Dodgers and Yankees way of letting arb years play out tbh
Oddly it might be harder for mid level teams to do the same in fear of big market teams eventually outbidding them but there’s also a lot thinner room for error here
Unless your getting an Acuna type deal I think its best to just pay arb prices and use the surplus cash to fill holes on the roster and hold your breath when the time comes….kicking in an extra mill when ya don’t have to on arbs for players you want a good relationship with down the line is not against the rules as well
Jays already made a mistake extending Grichuk and now he’s the 4th outfielder. Money not well spent.
Matz, Ray, Roark, some bullpen arms and Semien come off the books but the Jays still have a crowded outfield. Next offseason they will be looking for starting pitching, bullpen and an INF. If Bo can’t handle SS the Jays will look to short. Then they have to assess Austin Martin; is he the CF in 2022, an infielder or not ready in 2022.
So at this point I see an extension for Bo or others on the back burner.
Yea I would really Love an in depth looonnngggg article on early arb extensions from MLBTR soon….Think it would be a great read before the season kicks off and apt with the current Tatis signing
Say top 25 notable this century; I like players getting paid, I like continuity, but I still think Im super hesitant if Im a GM giving out early extensions. Im not paying market price while also burdening all the risk
Right. Tatis and Acuna are off the board. Maybe an article on Top 20 extension candidates for current arbitration players. Bellinger would have to be one of the top candidates. It would be an interesting read as some organizations would be rolling dice on their own players.
I could see Vlad surpassing Bo on that list. Vlad lost some weight, he’s younger and a breakout season could be around the corner.
If Correa believes in himself, he should play out the 2021 season. Any contract extension now will be depressed. Go out, put up big numbers and have a healthy season. He can’t get a $30M+ AAV based on recent history.
I think the Astros are waiting to see what Lindor gets because he should get a little less than him. Lindor might be waiting for Correa to sign his extension, though…
If Im Correa, Id happily take a 8/205 ish today
Down year or hurt year again that number can get staggering lower
Remember when Kris Bryant thought a 200+ mill dollar extension was disrespectful to him
Usually the best way to gamble is by taking that big chip stack to the cage while ya still can
I think that is a good offer and you are 100% correct. Guy is injured so much I wouldn’t risk going to FA. Health is the only thing holding him back.
I never respond to these. Just read, but come on, better then and deserves more then Mookie, open your eyes. Doesn’t matter if you play for a rich team or not, i.e. Tampa Bay. Mookie carries the team on his back, Lindor has not proved that in Cleveland and needs to now that he is playing for a large market in NY. He may think he deserves more but no one outside of NY is gonna pay him big with the amount of talented SS hitting market next year. My best guess, deservingly, would be in neighborhood of 8 yrs/ 240 mil
Bichette has been a revelation? He’s played 75 games. He’s been pretty good. That’s it.
Playing for big market means nothing. Mookie got what he deserved. Just cause you play in a big market means winning, look at Philly. Lindor will get the big payday IF he signs before free agency, otherwise he will over value himself next FA market time with all the talented SS on Market, Seager bring one, NLCS and WS MVP on his resume. While Lindor is a much better defensive SS, Seager is the better bat, so if Lindor gets the 341 as most are saying then Seager gets 360 for 10 yrs
But Lindor is the better player….
Any scuttlebutt on Bichette Jr.? Last I saw he was in Washington’s organization and then independent league and put up good stats with both, and I don’t think he was anywhere last season for obvious reasons. Is he with anyone currently?
Lindor still not committing to the Mets. This and the original press conference have been hilarious.
So, when will we see Mets fans posting about how Lindor will sign with the Mets because he loves playing in NY?
Go back into the Lindor quotes from his 2016 season/post season.. the start to his 2017 contract quotes in various media outlets.. they’re very similar..
..not going to discuss an extension in the season..
..very interested in finishing his career with __________
..I want to remain….
etc.. etc.. after two contract extenstion offers during the formative years, the goal is and has alway remained.. achieve free agency.. It doesn’t mean he won’t re-sign with the mets.. it just that he won’t until he becomes a free agent..
The Mets made the deal without a guarantee of an extension.. shame on them..
Trash can jokes aside, what do you guys think a fair and reasonable extension for Correa would look like? 25mil x 6?
I’d give him that in a heartbeat. Even with the injuries, he is probably worth that. If he out-grows the injuries, he’s worth a lot more than that.
Love the talk about Jays locking up Bo! Real deal. Get it done!
The Astros should extend Correa now rather than waiting til later because his price tag may only go up. Houston has $74 million in payroll commitments in ’22 and $66 million in ’23 so the money is there. They also watched George Springer leave and have done nothing to replace him. Neither of the Astros top SS prospects have played above A ball and both could be moved to other positions if Correa is signed long term
To be honest I’ve really watch Lindor play much so I can’t judge everything he brings to the table. However, based on his number I don’t see why he would be worth investing well over $300 mil for 10+ years. Maybe the right play for the Mets is a 5 year deal at perhaps a slightly inflated rate, with a opt-out after year 3 or 4. If he gives them 3/4 years of elite production then hopefully he has help d them win during this iteration of the team and he can walk away looking for a bigger deal around age 30/31. If he falters then he has still guaranteed a very healthy payday for himself over 5 years, but the team is not dragged down by an awful contract for the better part of a decade
*I’ve never really
Yes, the smart play would be a 5-year deal. In fact, a 5-year deal would be the smart play for most free agents in history. However, we know that isn’t how reality works when you’re trying to sign top tier players, who are on the right side of 30. Heck, it’s hard to convince guys at 30 to 32 to take only 5 years.
He’s getting his years…from the Mets or whoever gives it to him.
Personally, since we all know MLB is a game that teams can win championships without a superstar, I probably would never invest in the highest paid players, but invest in 2 or 3 very good ones for the same price. This isn’t like the NBA where you have to have a superstar to win a championship. In the NBA teams that want championships have to pay the price. In MLB, unless you’re one of the teams that have the budget to be a big market team, it makes no sense to pay for these guys. Even with the big market teams, it looks bad when a team goes to the luxury tax, and then have to watch a mid or small market team go to the World Series and/or win the World Series.
I agree, in a way having the highest paid player in any position is detrimental to overall team. You cannot have between 10 and 20% of the entire payroll tied in one player, it will make sustained success very difficult. Next offseason there will be a number of very good shortstop options so there is no rush to sign Lindor for a lengthy mega deal, unless it on team friendly terms, which is improbable. I’d be happy with the 2 or 3 best choice if that means the Mets can extend more of their own players.
Am I missing something on Lindor? His comments clearly state that he has no intention of discussing an extension during the spring or season, yet the takeaway is that the Mets better work out an extension with him during the spring…? It sounds like the Mets should’ve worked out an extension with him already and missed their chance.
Mets fans would be wise to urge ownership NOT to pursue an extension at this time.
As a Tribe fan, you want to see if he can perform in New York. Because he had trouble in the big moments in Cleveland, trust me.
Waiting a year with all the free agent SS next winter is the best move you can make. Because if you sign him for 10 years and he continues his slow, steady decline as a hitter, you’ll probably sour your new owner from investing in his club for awhile. There’s nothing like being jobbed by a player to change your attitude about being a free-wheeling owner.
I sort of wonder if any young players like Bichette or Bieber are going to be that open to extensions with out first seeing how the next CBA affects service time and whatever other changes are to be made