CLEVELAND, OH — Francisco Lindor has been mentioned in trade rumors all offseason. The Indians’ star shortstop wasn’t shy when he was asked about his future with the team on Saturday.
“They haven’t offered me the right thing,” the four-time All-Star said when asked about signing a long-term extension. “We want to make sure we get paid for a long time. We want to be in this game for a long time. Do I feel like when I'm 37, am I going to be down with my playing level? No, I don't think so. The way I work, and the way we all work, I'd don't think we're going to be down. I don't think our production numbers will be down just because we're 37.”
Lindor, 26, will be a free agent after the 2021 season. He fielded over a dozen questions about his future and the contract he hopes to sign, whether it’s with the Indians or another organization.
“If they don't think I can stay here because of the money situation, then I won't be here,” Lindor said bluntly.
Lindor wouldn’t give a specific number of years or dollars he’s looking for, but he understands his value and doubled down on his willingness to stay in Cleveland long-term.
“I would love to be in Cleveland. I love Cleveland. This is a home,” he said with his patented smile. “This is a great city. There are great fans and we've got a good team and a great group of guys. The front office is good. The coaching staff is good. Everybody, the clubbies, everybody that's involved with the Indians' organization — it's great and I love it here. This is where I came up and I'm extremely comfortable here.”
Lindor has batted .279 (.855 OPS) over the past three years and is averaging 34 home runs, 85 RBI and 21 stolen bases. He’s one of the best players in baseball. He insisted that the Indians and every other team in baseball can afford a player of his caliber.
“Our payroll last year was ($120 million). There’s money,” Lindor said. “Is it what the Indians are trying to do? Who knows? It’s different. But there’s money out there. There are no teams out there with $10 million payrolls. There’s money.”
Lindor also admitted that he knows he might not be in the Indians’ future plans.
“Is it the right time for the Indians? I don’t know,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s the right time. Is it the right time for another team to sign, say, Bryce Harper last year — was it the right time for the Yankees to sign Bryce Harper? No. It was the right time for the Yankees to sign Gerrit Cole this year.”
Lindor wants to be paid, but he also wants to win. He doesn’t want his next contract to get in the way of winning a World Series — whether that’s in Cleveland or somewhere else.
“I’m not money-driven. I’m championship-driven,” Lindor said. “That’s what I want. I want to win. Wherever I go, I want to win. I want to bring a championship to the city of Cleveland. This is what I want to do. That’s my mission.”
Lindor wants to win, but he also wants to get paid.
Most organizations won’t be willing to give him or any other player a 10-12 year contract worth $30+ million per season. There will be a team that will sign him to that deal, but the Indians aren’t in that mix.
This is a Breakup
Lindor stood at the front of the room with more than a dozen cameras and recorders around him. He was ready to field questions about a future that has already been written. He knows the Indians aren’t going to offer him top dollar for his services. Lindor wanted to make it clear to the fans that he wants to win.
He also wants to get paid. That’s his right. He doesn’t and shouldn't feel bad about it. This is what happens when a couple is going through a breakup.
One starts pandering to mutual friends, hoping that they can get the majority of people to take their side.
In reality, the Indians know they aren’t going to be able to give Lindor what he wants long-term and ‘Frankie’ wants to make it clear to everyone that he’s open to being in Cleveland.
Neither party wants to look like the villain. Lindor doesn’t want to be the ‘selfish star.’
Breakups can be ugly. If you read some of the quotes, it sounds like Lindor is willing to sign an extension today. But other ones show how far away the two sides are from getting close to a new deal.
Lindor knows his future is elsewhere and his press conference today at Tribe Fest proved it.
‘Enjoy Him’
Indians owner Paul Dolan doubled down on his infamous “enjoy him” line last month at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards.
“I’m very very excited about this years’ season. We have a good crop of young players. We saw them start to develop last year. And of course we have some old stars," Dolan said with a smile. "One of whom happens to play shortstop — who I know I’m going to enjoy. I’m not sure I can tell you people to enjoy him, but he is certainly fun to watch and I’m looking forward to some October baseball.”
Dolan will forever be linked to Lindor after the comments he made last spring. I’m not sure the Indians’ best player has forgot those comments.
Lindor said the word “enjoy” in some form nine times during his 12-minute press conference.
First, it was a simple “I’m enjoying the ride. I’m enjoying the time I’m here with the guys.”
He followed that up with I’m enjoying the process. I’m enjoying the games. I’m enjoying everything. It’s a blessing to have a job and here I am.”
“I’m going to play as hard as I can and I’m going to enjoy everything,” Lindor continued.
He capped the press conference off with one more barrage to hammer his point home.
“We’re all enjoying the process,” Lindor said. “Arbitration was great. It was awesome. Negotiating and talking with them, that was fun. I enjoyed it. I’m sure the front office enjoyed it as well.”
It could just be a coincidence. Lindor could just be an extremely happy person, but does anyone you know “enjoy” life as much as him?
Lindor was sending a message, even if he knows his future isn’t in Cleveland.
