Cohen has postseason expectation

PHILADELPHIA — Nothing says “all in” like handing a $341 million contract to an elite player.

Francisco Lindor’s 10-year extension with the Mets became official Monday, at which time owner Steve Cohen and team president Sandy Alderson held a Zoom call with the media to express their satisfaction with the deal.

“I look at Francisco as a cornerstone of our present and future,” Cohen said. “I think he is going to lead us to division titles, pennants and World Series championships. He’s all in. I told you I’m all in and this should leave no doubt.”

Alderson added: “[Lindor] seems to be a special guy and authentic.”

The 27-year-old shortstop went 1-for-4 in his Mets debut, a 5-3 loss to the Phillies in the season opener at Citizens Bank Park, which followed a four-day layoff after the first series in Washington was postponed because of coronavirus concerns among the Nationals.

Cohen, who bought the team last offseason, planned to watch the game at home — he will sit in the owner’s suite at Citi Field on Thursday for the home opener — and set his expectations for the season as he readied for the first pitch.

“I am not going to predict a World Series out of the gate,” Cohen said. “But I do think we’re going to be really competitive and I do think we’re going to make the playoffs and once you get into the playoffs anything can happen, right? I am pretty optimistic. The team looks good to me and I think fans are really going to enjoy this team.”

With Lindor’s deal complete, the next significant contract issue facing the Mets could be Michael Conforto, who can become a free agent after the season. Cohen and Alderson acknowledged the sides held brief extension talks during spring training.

“We like Michael, he’s been a terrific Met and we’ll see if we can get it done,” Cohen said. “But this is a big moment for him, too. He may want to explore his free agency, so we’ll see what happens.”