Francisco Lindor and the Mets are reportedly $60 million apart in contract extension talks, but he’s not the only one who thinks the team is low-balling him.
Mets first baseman Pete Alonso lobbied on his teammate’s behalf on Tuesday when he was asked by reporter’s about the All-Star’s contract situation.
“I hope they pay him $400 million,” he said.
When asked if he believes Lindor is a $400 million player, Alonso replied, “Absolutely.”
“He’s worth every penny,” he added.
Earlier on Tuesday, multiple reports indicated Lindor was offered a 10-year, $325 million contract extension, but his camp was looking for a 12-year, $385 million deal, which would be the second-largest contract in MLB history behind Mike Trout’s $426 million extension in 2019.
A 12-year deal would keep Lindor, 27, under contract through his age-39 season.
Mets owner Steve Cohen had dinner with Lindor in Florida on Sunday in what was an attempt to make progress toward a deal.
Cohen tweeted on Tuesday he hopes Lindor signs.
While Lindor has set a deadline for Opening Day, Thursday, to lock in an extension, the Mets could still secure a long-term deal with Lindor after the season.
However, the Mets also risk Lindor testing the open market in free agency if they cannot get a deal done quickly.
It’s unclear if other teams would be willing to give Lindor what he is asking, though, but he would arguably become the best available free agent if he were to hit the market.
Through his first six seasons in the majors, the switch-hitting shortstop has established himself as one of the best players in the league. He is a four-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glove winner and two-time Silver Slugger winner.
Lindor has a career slash line of .285/.346/.488 and has hit at least 30 home runs in each of the last three full 162-game seasons.
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