Keith: Francisco Lindor contract was 'mistake' by 'rookie owner' Steve Cohen
Francisco Lindor went hitless with a strikeout in his first game back in Cleveland since being traded to the Mets, and his season batting average still sits below .200 nearly two months into the season.
Lindor's return to his former home ballpark offered a time to reflect on the blockbuster move to bring the star shortstop to Queens back when Steve Cohen first took over the team. The trade made all the sense in the world at the time given Lindor's age and production, but Keith says the decision by Cohen to sign Lindor to a mega extension before seeing how he would handle New York was a classic mistake by a new owner looking to make his mark.
"I think during that time, new owner Steve Cohen wanted to make a splash. He wanted to put a stamp on things and say 'I'm not the Wilpons here,'" Keith said.
"It might have been a false move. It's just not looking good with Lindor. He is a good player, but with the team struggling and him talking about what he misses in Cleveland…he's getting overpaid. He's making way too much money for what he actually is."
Simply put, Keith believes that Cohen would not make that move in 2024, having now more than three years under his belt as the owner. But now, Lindor is signed for the long haul.
"I think it was Steve Cohen being a rookie owner. Learning," Keith said. "Made a mistake…now he's obviously learned his lesson. They didn't pay Pete Alonso."
