The New York Mets are hoping to secure their future success, and the first job is keeping Francisco Lindor and Michael Conforto. They made their first contract extension offers to their young stars, but all parties are long from agreeing on details.
FRANCISCO LINDOR GRAND SLAM!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/5m4GUDpEEx
— SNY (@SNYtv) March 19, 2021
The Mets offered Lindor below $300 million, but his camp went well over that mark. Lindor certainly deserves a contract near Fernando Tatis Jr.’s, and Steve Cohen will go there to make an extension happen. The Mets traded too much for Lindor to become a one-year rental. Even if it results in a World Series title, the front office cannot let their shortstop for the next decade slip away.
Conforto’s deal will take a lot more work, thanks to Scott Boras in his corner. Boras clients are notorious for refusing extensions so they can earn large sums in free agency. Plenty notable stars did sign long-term extensions in the past but it does not happen often. Very little details regarding any offers have been released and Conforto has been silent on any talks.
Lindor made it clear that he will not talk an extension after spring training but Conforto has not set a time limit. Conforto’s track record is not as illustrious as Lindor’s and Boras clients are known to negotiate at anytime. It is also notable to remember than Jacob deGrom’s extension came just a couple days before the season started.
This occurred with the Mets version of dumb and dumber (Brodie Van Wagenen and Jeff Wilpon) running things and David Wright stepping in to help broker a deal. With a completely new owner and front office, Mets fans should have confidence in both players remaining in Flushing.