PHILADELPHIA – Nothing says “all in” like handing a $341 million contract to an elite player.
Francisco Lindor’s 10-year extension with the Mets became official Monday, at which time owner Steve Cohen and team president Sandy Alderson held a Zoom call with the media to express their satisfaction with the deal.
“I look at Francisco as a cornerstone of our present and future,” Cohen said. “I think he is going to lead us to division titles, pennants and World Series championships. He’s all in. I told you I’m all in and this should leave no doubt.”
Alderson added: “[Lindor] seems to be a special guy and authentic.”
The 27-year-old shortstop was set for his Mets debut in the season-opener against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, which followed a four-day layoff after the first series in Washington was postponed because of coronavirus concerns among the Nationals.
Cohen, who bought the team last offseason, planned to watch the game at home – he will sit in the owner’s suite at Citi Field on Thursday for the home opener – and set his expectations for the season as he readied for the first pitch.
“I am not going to predict a World Series out of the gate,” Cohen said. “But I do think we’re going to be really competitive and I do think we’re going to make the playoffs and once you get into the playoffs anything can happen, right? I am pretty optimistic. The team looks good to me and I think fans are really going to enjoy this team.”
Cohen called Lindor a leader with a “winning personality” that he got to know during dinners in spring training. The Mets acquired the All-Star over the winter, with Carlos Carrasco, in a trade that sent Andres Gimenez, Amed Rosario and two prospects to Cleveland.
With Lindor’s deal complete, the next significant contract issue facing the Mets could be Michael Conforto, who can become a free agent after the season. Cohen and Alderson acknowledged the sides held brief extension talks during spring training.
“We like Michael, he’s been a terrific Met and we’ll see if we can get it done,” Cohen said. “But this is a big moment for him, too. He may want to explore his free agency, so we’ll see what happens.”
Noah Syndergaard and Marcus Stroman are other players who can become free agents this offseason, and Jacob deGrom’s contract contains an opt out after the 2022 season that the Mets may want to address this winter.
The Mets are beginning this season with a $203 million payroll, as computed for luxury tax purposes, which ranks as the highest in club history.
“In an ideal situation you would love to retain them all,” Alderson said. “But I think the fact is at some point down the line we will have to make some choices and that will depend on a variety of considerations, one financial, one performance. One, recent history in terms of how the team has done. But realistically we want to look for ways that we can hold onto as many of those players as we can.”
James McCann and Trevor May were other significant free-agent additions from last offseason ready for their Mets debuts on Monday. In addition, Kevin Pillar, Albert Almora Jr. and Jonathan Villar were depth pieces added to a team that is expected to contend for the NL East title.
“I can’t hit the ball. I am not pitching, so it’s ultimately up to the players,” Cohen said. “You can lay down all sorts of plans, you can acquire players, you can promote players, but ultimately it’s up to them to play. I think our organization has prepared our team to perform well and obviously we need to be flexible as the season progresses. The goal is to win and that is the mantra and I know the players want to win too.”