Mets: Francisco Lindor doesn’t want contract negotiations to extend into the regular season

New York Mets’ shortstop Francisco Lindor, who hit his first home run of the 2021 spring training on Wednesday, talked with the press about his ongoing contract negotiations, as the team intends to lock him up and keep him in Queens for a long time.

The Mets send shortstops Amed Rosario and Andres Gimenez plus a couple of prospects to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for the All-Star shortstop plus starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco back in January.

“I will not be negotiating during the season,” Lindor said. “I will go to free agency if something carries on during the season. It’s not fair for me. It’s not fair for the team. I’ve got to give everything I’ve got into winning baseball games, so if it doesn’t happen in Spring Training, I’ll go to free agency and we’ll talk in November.”

Before Lindor’s remarks, the Mets had implied that the start of the season was a soft deadline to get a deal done with Lindor, but the infielder has made it a hard one: he will not enter negotiations during the regular campaign.

The Mets and Lindor want to get something done before the season

Lindor made it clear that it will be his agent the one tasked with the responsibility of delivering the best possible contract for him and his family.

The Mets would also like to get something done before the season, so it is possible that Lindor is extended in the upcoming days.

Speaking of his play on the field, the Mets’ star began the spring on a 0-for-7 skid, but is now on a 5-for-15 hot streak that includes his Tuesday homer against the Houston Astros.

“It felt great to be able to pull the baseball in the correct way,” he said. “In Spring Training, engines are just starting to run. So I was just happy I was able to pull the baseball the correct way.”