Francisco Lindor and the New York Mets have agreed to a $341 million, 10-year deal, keeping the All-Star shortstop in Queens for the next decade after acquiring him from Cleveland in the offseason.
The deal has not been announced yet, officially, but a person familiar with its details spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday night on condition of anonymity.
Lindor was eligible for free agency after this season and said this spring he wouldn’t negotiate with the Mets on a long-term contract after opening day. Less than 24 hours before New York starts its season Thursday night in Washington, an agreement was reached.
Francisco Lindor and the New York Mets have agreed to a $341 million, 10-year deal, keeping the All-Star shortstop in Queens for the next decade after acquiring him from Cleveland
Lindor was the prized pickup in new owner Steve Cohen’s first offseason, acquired from Cleveland along with right-hander Carlos Carrasco for infielders Amed Rosario, Andrés Giménez and two minor leaguers. New York added Lindor knowing he could walk after the 2021 season, but the team said it would try to negotiate a long-term pact. The deal had bee anticipated for some time, with Lindor and Cohen (right) reportedly meeting over dinner to discuss details on Saturday, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan
The 27-year-old Lindor has two Gold Gloves and made four All-Star teams in six seasons with the Indians, hitting .285 with an average of 29 homers, 86 RBIs and 21 stolen bases per 162 games.
He was the prized pickup in new owner Steve Cohen’s first offseason, acquired from Cleveland along with right-hander Carlos Carrasco for infielders Amed Rosario, Andrés Giménez and two minor leaguers. New York added Lindor knowing he could walk after the 2021 season, but the team said it would try to negotiate a long-term pact.
MLB Network was first to report on the agreement.
The deal had bee anticipated for some time, with Lindor and Cohen reportedly meeting over dinner to discuss details on Saturday, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Cohen tweeted Tuesday that Lindor was a ‘heckuva player and a great guy’ and said he hoped to strike a deal. He confirmed the pair had dinner together over the weekend.
Cohen tweeted Tuesday that Lindor was a ‘heckuva player and a great guy’ and said he hoped to strike a deal. He confirmed the pair had dinner together over the weekend
One fan joked about the length of Lindor’s deal, saying he was worried about the 2032 Mets
One fan teased Cohen about his 2013 insider trading scandal. Cohen was never charged with a crime, but his firm paid a $1.2 billion fine and he later settled a civil lawsuit with the SEC
In response, long-suffering Mets fans hailed their now hero, Cohen, a billionaire investor and one of baseball’s wealthiest owner. The previous majority owners, the Wilpons, were often criticized for their unwillingness to spend on free agents. Fans often targeted Fred Wilpon, the family patriarch, who was linked to the Bernie Madoff scandal in 2008 after investing in the notorious Ponzi scheme.
Lindor has two Gold Gloves and made four All-Star teams in six seasons with the Indians, hitting .285 with an average of 29 homers, 86 RBIs and 21 stolen bases per 162 games
Cohen purchased 95 percent of the club from the Wilpons and Saul Katz for a reported $2.4 billion in 2020, and he appears far more willing to spend than his predecessors, who are now the team minority owners.
‘New owner Steve Cohen shows fans what is he Madoff,’ joked one Mets fan.
‘Francisco Lindor’s home ballpark will be Citi Field for the rest of his career,’ wrote another. ‘All hail Steve Cohen.’
‘Steve Cohen you beautiful bald man you,’ added another fan, poking fun at the 64-year-old Long Island native.
Lindor will retain his $22.3 million salary for 2021 before the contract kicks in for 2022.
The deal will be the largest ever for a shortstop, passing Fernando Tatis Jr.’s $340 million, 14-year contract with San Diego signed in February. Only Mike Trout’s $426.5 million, 12-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels and Mookie Betts’ $365 million, 12-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers are worth more. Betts’ deal includes $115 million in deferred payments through 2044.
Lindor’s deal is also by far the largest payout ever from the Mets, surpassing contracts for third baseman David Wright ($138 million), pitchers Jacob deGrom ($137.5 million) and Johan Santana ($137.5 million).
