Francisco Lindor possesses superstar talent at the plate and in the field. That's why new Mets owner Steve Cohen felt comfortable locking up the 27-year-old switch-hitting shortstop to a 10-year, $341 million contract extension late Wednesday night.
But the Mets aren't just investing in the numbers on the back of Lindor's baseball card -- they're also investing in the person.
And by Kevin Millar's standards, Lindor is worth every penny of the blockbuster deal because he exemplifies leadership and embraces the role.
"Absolutely wonderful human being, start right there," the MLB Network host told CBS Sports Radio's Tiki and Tierney show on Thursday. "We always talk about the player, but let's talk about the person. He's going to make people around him better. You have an obligation, when you sign a contract like this, to be more than a guy who's going to hit 30 home runs, hit .300, steal XYZ bases, and drive in how many guys and play great defense. He's a winner, and he can do it with a smile.
"You don't always have to be a tough guy on the field. Some guys are, and that's what gets them going. This guy does it with a great smile, and he'll make his teammates around him better. That's the huge difference. If Steve Cohen, the owner, asks him to go visit a school at 9 a.m. on a Tuesday, that's an obligation that you have to know that who you're signing is going to be able to do that and touch kids' lives. Because the kids are our future. You're not just paid to play baseball. You're paid to make this organization a championship organization. And how do you do that? You do that by treating people great, kind, with respect. People helping people...
"But I think Francisco Lindor is absolutely perfect for what the Mets need, beside the point that he's going to bring balance to the lineup -- there's no matchup for him -- he hits good pitching, he plays great defense, and he's a star... Francisco Lindor is a superstar, and there's no better stage than New York."
During the abbreviated 2020 season with Cleveland, Lindor slashed .258/.335/.415 with eight home runs, 13 doubles, and 27 RBI in 236 at-bats. His somewhat underwhelming numbers at the plate weren't indicative of his true potential, however, as he's hit at least 30 homers and 40 doubles in each of the last three full seasons.
Lindor has also proven to be durable. Since 2016 -- his first full big league season -- he's played in 678 of the possible 708 games, and only needed to serve as the designated hitter 10 times. As for his defense, Lindor has won two Gold Glove awards at shortstop, and in 2019, he made 159 putouts and 312 assists in 481 defensive chances, and posted a DRS (defensive runs saved) of plus-11.
Mets fans had hoped to see Lindor make his regular season debut on Thursday against the Washington Nationals, but due to COVID-19 issues, their opening series is currently postponed.
The entire baseball conversation between Millar and Tiki and Tierney can be accessed in the video and audio players above.
You can follow the Tiki and Tierney Show on Twitter @TikiAndTierney and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.