‘FOUR’ PLAY
Alonso: Amazin’s should pay Lindor $400 million
Pete Alonso has got his new teammate’s back.
As Francisco Lindor nears his imposed Opening Day deadline to complete contract talks with the Mets, the team’s first baseman was asked Tuesday what he thought when heard the number $325 million attached to the AllStar shortstop’s name. The Mets have extended that offer to Lindor over 10 years, according to an industry source, calling it their best and final. Lindor has sought $385 million over 12 years, according to a source. “Pay him 400,” Alonso said. Lindor is a $400 million player?
“Absolutely,” Alonso said. “No question about it. Not only is he a superstar on the field, he pays attention, he works hard, he cares about his teammates and not only does he have the quantifiable numbers of a superstar he has the ‘X’ factor and what he brings to a clubhouse is tremendous and can’t be measured, along with his superstar talent.”
As it stands, Mike Trout is the only MLB player with a $400 million contract. The outfielder signed a $426.5 million extension over 12 years with the Angels before the 2019 season. Last summer, the Dodgers gave Mookie Betts a 12-year extension worth $365 million.
“I hope they pay [Lindor] $400 million, and I think he is worth every penny of what he decides,” Alonso said. “That’s his personal decision, but he’s a superstar. I have always known he was an unbelievable player, but the amount of intangibles that man has is special.
“Also, he’s young [27] and what he can bring to a club for a very long time, I can’t even imagine what the potential is that he can help out for the future. Pay him $400 million, absolutely.”
Lindor has indicated that he won’t carry negotiations into the regular season and will head to free agency this winter if a deal isn’t finalized before the opener in Washington on Thursday.
The Mets faced a similar situation two years ago with Jacob deGrom, completing a five-year extension with their ace worth $137.5 million the day before the opener — which was also in Washington that season.
Team owner Steve Cohen, who had dinner with Lindor last weekend at spring training, took to Twitter on Tuesday to root for a new deal.
“Lindor is a heckuva player and a great guy,” Cohen tweeted. “I hope he decides to sign.”
If he signs, Lindor would obliterate the franchise record for a contract. David Wright’s eight-year extension worth $138 million (which expired after last season) is the largest contract in Mets history in overall dollars.
As the Mets prepare to open the season, manager Luis Rojas was asked if he’s concerned about the effect a non-deal would have on Lindor, who arrived last winter in a trade with Cleveland that also brought Carlos Carrasco to the Mets.
“I haven’t seen any change with him on the field, so I really have no concerns, zero concerns with the way he carries himself on a daily basis,” Rojas said. “He is pretty solid. He is consistent with his demeanor. He is a talented player, but a professional on and off the field. He shows up every day just to make himself better and make everyone better around him, so there is no concern from me or any of the coaching staff right now.”
But if Lindor doesn’t sign, he could feel the wrath of Mets fans, especially if he starts slowly at the plate. Mike Piazza heard such boos after arriving to the Mets during the 1998 season in the final year of his contract.
“[Lindor] is here to help the team win, and I think that was the theme of camp,” Rojas said. “I don’t think anything is going to change. I think the fans are going to be supporting that.”