Sal says the Mets have a toxic clubhouse problem, and players like Francisco Lindor, Jeff McNeil, and Pete Alonso are contributing to a selfishness within the team, where individual accomplishments are being put above the success of the team.
Sal had previously felt it was ludicrous to entertain the idea of trading an accomplished, homegrown star like Alonso, but in light of the realizations of the clubhouse toxicity, Sal believes one of Lindor or Alonso has to go.
Because of Lindor’s contract, he likely isn’t going anywhere, but Sal also says Lindor is the better overall player.
“They’re not getting rid of Lindor, nor should they,” Sal said. “Lindor has been here a few years, he’s learned from the failures of year one, and he’s got that huge contract. He’s not going anywhere. Lindor can’t go. So even if it was Lindor vs. Alonso, he can’t go. You can’t move him. Nobody would take him with that contract.
“Not to mention he’s the better player of the two. He hits for power, he drives in runs, he plays great defense, he plays every day too. Pete has the premier power of course, but Lindor is the better player.”
Alonso is a free agent at the end of next season, while Lindor signed a massive contract extension as part of Steve Cohen’s first big move as owner. Lindor has had his slumps, but collectively, has consistently put up big numbers by the end of the season while playing every day and performing spectacularly defensively. Because of his contract and overall talent, Sal says Lindor would be the one who stays.
“You can’t build around those two guys and keep this same thing intact,” Sal said. “It hasn’t been working, and I think Pete is the one who’s gotta go.”
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