Fernando Tatis Jr.'s record-setting 14-year extension will keep him in San Diego (ideally) through 2034 – and that puts the Mets' future with Francisco Lindor into light once again.
The Mets have said they are comfortable having acquired Lindor even if he leaves after one year, but in an appearance on Moose & Maggie Thursday, MLB insider Jon Heyman said that Tatis' deal is somewhat of a template for what it will take to keep Lindor.
"This is a little different, because he's going to be a free agent while Tatis was under team control, but Lindor is also older – so he might get "more" because of the former, but "less" because of the latter," Heyman said. "The magic number has been $300 million, he was looking for that in his talks with Cleveland, but I think everybody expects the Mets to get this done at around that price. I think that's a fair estimate, and I'd be surprised if they don't get it done."
Lindor has said he won't discuss contract issues during the season, so the Mets have about another five or six weeks to get it done…or else.
"If it goes into the season, you can pretty much count on him becoming a free agent. That doesn't mean he won't come back, but when a big player like that comes out, it muddies the waters," Heyman said. "And remember, Corey Seager is a free agent, so are Trevor Story and Javy Baez, so it's a big class."
The Mets have another extension candidate in Michael Conforto, but Heyman doesn't expect that to materialize too far anytime soon either.
"I'm sure Scott Boras will talk to the Mets at some point this spring, but it's probably very unlikely unless they give a number Conforto is so happy with," Heyman said. "He's a Boras client, and MLB Network had him as the sixth-best right fielder, so he's a $20 million player."
Also, Heyman says, don't expect either of the big names bandied about to be joining Lindor on the left side of the infield, either.
"The Mets have the money, but the Cubs expect Kris Bryant to stay with their team. He has a big salary and didn't have a great year last year, so I don't think market is what Cubs thought it would be," Heyman said. "As for Matt Chapman, I know there was a report of interest and I'm sure a call was made, but my understanding is that Oakland isn't giving up, and they piece it together and somehow win 90 games every year in a small market."
And what about the pitching staff, which has seen "serious interest" in Taijuan Walker but also just lost a possible bullpen target when Trevor Rosenthal signed with Oakland earlier Thursday?
"Walker has been mentioned and they did check in on Jake Odorizzi, and I think either one could go, it all depends on price," Heyman said. "With the bullpen, there aren't a ton of stars left. Rosenthal was head and shoulders above the rest, so I think starting pitching is probably the main thing there."
If there are no more bullpen additions, that likely means Edwin Diaz is the closer and the group in place is what the Mets are rolling with – but Heyman thinks the Mets should have been deeper in on Rosenthal.
"Diaz is a terrific talent and the previous regime loved him, and it seems like they're very loyal. He has extreme talent, but he's inconsistent. I don't think Diaz is proven as a closer and I'm being kind saying that," Heyman said. "The Mets' bullpen is decent, and I think they can use a lefty so Brad Hand would have been fantastic, but he liked the Nationals. If they could've gotten Rosenthal, they should have, but I'm not sure how invested they were."
Listen to Heyman's entire segment with Moose & Maggie below!
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