Francisco Lindor says he is feeling strong heading into the season, now that he was able to have a more structured routine in his new city after being dealt to the Mets last offseason.
Tierney says Lindor better be ready to return to form, as he is facing more heat than any other New York star after last year's disappointment.
"He's got more pressure than anybody, because he didn't perform last season," Tierney said, noting fans' frustrations with Lindor for much of the 2021 campaign, when he hit a career-low .230. "The reaction was visceral to him."
Lindor was a force in Cleveland, hitting .285 with an .833 OPS over his six seasons, four of which resulted in All-Star selections. But his season OPS has now dropped at least 15 points in each of the last three seasons, hitting a new low in his debut campaign with the Mets. But Tiki says a year of experience under the bright lights of New York will serve him well in year two.
"I think he was cocky, and he felt 'when I was in Cleveland, I could do whatever the hell I want.' I don't think he was aware that it's different in New York," Tiki said. "It feels like he's taking a renewed look at where he is as opposed to where he was."
But Tierney says he better show that on the field and improve significantly upon last year's numbers, especially after he was part of the thumbs down fiasco with Javier Baez, which didn't go over well with fans who were not far removed from celebrating his $341 million contract extension.
Now, with the first-season adjustments out of the way, there are no more excuses, only added pressure to perform.
"You better not hit .190 out of the chute. I'm just saying," Tierney said, while clarifying that he doesn't expect Lindor to struggle again this season.
"You better prove to us that you're worthy of the money, you're worthy of this city, you're worthy of the stage and the adulation. Because number one, you stunk last year, and number two, you told us to go f--- ourselves. When you do that here, like Randle, who we can't wait to get traded…it could happen to Lindor as well. The saving grace is, he's so good, I don't think it will."
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