The New York Mets and Francisco Lindor are currently at a stallmate in contract talks.
On Monday, the Mets offered Lindor a 10-year contract worth $325 million. However, Lindor did not sign the contract and instead presented New York a counteroffer of his own. Lindor proposed a 12-year deal worth $385 million. Since then, contract talks have stalled as both sides cannot come to an agreement.
Both sides must come to a deal because Mets owner Steve Cohen had set Wednesday as the deadline for a deal to retain Lindor. The Mets proposed contract extension deal to Lindor is short of another deal that was given to fellow shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. The San Diego Padres offered Tatis a $340 million deal for 14 years. The contract became the most for a shortstop ever.
Lindor is seeking a deal similar to or greater than what Tatis received. The four-time All-Star counteroffer to New York will make him the highest-paid shortstop ever. If the Mets were to accept the counteroffer, then the shortstop will earn $32.5 million annually.
The Mets traded for Lindor from the Cleveland Indians in January, so they would want to retain his services for beyond. The shortstop is set to become a free agent at the end of the season if a contract extension is not signed.
The All-Star has remained consistent in production and has ranked near the top of shortstops across the league in six MLB seasons. The shortstop has a .833 career OPS, a .285 batting average, and a .488 slugging.
Last season, the shortstop had a slight dip in production and finished with a .258 batting average, eight home runs, 61 hits, and 27 RBI’s in a shortened season. These numbers were the worst in his MLB career. However, in spring training Lindor has looked good. So far, in 17 spring training games, he is hitting a .370 batting average, 14 RBI’s, and four home runs. The outlook is showing that Lindor will have a great season if he keeps up his numbers.
