Francisco Lindor and the New York Mets have agreed to a $341m, 10-year deal, keeping the All-Star shortstop in Queens for the long haul after acquiring him from Cleveland in the offseason, according to a person familiar with the agreement.
MLB Network first reported the news about Lindor’s contract.
The four-time All-Star’s deal will be the third-richest based on total value in major league history, trailing only the contracts for the Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout ($426.5m) and the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie Betts ($365m).
Lindor was eligible for free agency after this season and said this spring he wouldn’t negotiate with the Mets on a long-term deal after opening day. Less than 24 hours before New York star their season Thursday night in Washington, an agreement was reached.
The 27-year-old Lindor has two Gold Gloves in six seasons with the Indians, who drafted him in 2011, hitting .285 with an average of 29 homers, 86 RBIs and 21 stolen bases per 162 games.
He was the prized pickup in hedge fund billionaire Steve Cohen’s first offseason as the team’s owner, acquired from Cleveland along with right-hander Carlos Carrasco for infielders Amed Rosario, Andrés Giménez and two minor leaguers. New York added Lindor knowing he could walk after the 2021 season, but the team said it would try to negotiate a long-term pact.
Lindor’s deal will be the largest ever for a shortstop, passing Fernando Tatis Jr.‘s $340 million, 14-year contract with San Diego signed in February. Only Mike Trout’s $426.5 million, 12-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels and Mookie Betts’ $365 million, 12-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers are worth more.
His deal is also by far the largest payout ever from the Mets, surpassing contracts for third baseman David Wright ($138m), pitchers Jacob deGrom ($137.5 m) and Johan Santana ($137.5m).
Back on Twitter after deleting his account in January amid the GameStop short squeeze frenzy, Cohen tweeted Tuesday that Lindor was a “heckuva player and a great guy” and said he hoped to strike a deal. He confirmed the pair had dinner together over the weekend.
Lindor will retain his $22.3m salary for 2021 before the contract kicks in for 2022.