Money talks.
Especially when it’s this much money.
MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo reported Monday “the Mets have offered Francisco Lindor a 10-year deal worth $325 million. It is their final offer. A source says Lindor’s camp is still seeking $385 million over 12 years.”
Former Mets and Yankees star Darryl Strawberry has a warning for Lindor. Per SNY:
“He’s obviously very talented and he has a right to make as much money as he can. I just know that a lot of players come to New York and don’t realize the expectations are real, and they’re very high and deep. It’s a place where fans are like, ‘Show me. Show me every night.’ It’s a big difference playing in Cleveland compared to New York, especially in his situation. The media will be focused on him like they were with me going into free agency. If he doesn’t sign, I don’t know if he realizes what he’ll have to deal with, day in and day out.”
The Mets knew they would have to pay Lindor after acquiring him in an offseason trade with the Cleveland Indians. Lindor, who will be a free agent after the 2021 season, might want to hire teammate Pete Alonso to lead contract talks, based on what the slugger said Tuesday, according to SNY.
“I hope they pay him $400 million. ... Not only is he a superstar on the field, but he pays attention, he works hard, he cares about his teammates and not only doe he have the quantifiable numbers of a superstar, he has the X-factor. What he brings to a clubhouse is tremendous and can’t be measured, along with his superstar talent. ... He’s worth every penny of what he decides ... so yeah, pay him $400 million.”
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The time for talking is quickly coming to an end.
SNY’s Andy Martino reports Lindor “is working under a self-imposed Opening Day deadline to reach a deal. As of Monday night, the sides were not close to an agreement and did not feel a sense of momentum towards one.” The Mets open the season Thursday against the Nationals in Washington, D.C.
Lindor is asking for the second-biggest contract in MLB history, behind only Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout’s 12-year, $426.5 million deal. Lindor’s contract request exceeds the 12-year, $365 million deal signed by Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts. It also tops the 14-year, $340 million contract San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis, Jr. signed this past winter.
The 27-year-old Lindor is a four-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glove Award winner and two-time Silver Slugger Award recipient.
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MLB rumors: Ex-Yankees, Mets star Darryl Strawberry has warning for Francisco Lindor, who gets help in contra - NJ.com
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