Newly acquired Lindor, Mets start talks about long-term deal

Just over two weeks before opening day, Francisco Lindor and the New York Mets have begun talking about keeping him in town beyond this season.

The newly acquired All-Star shortstop and the team have started discussing a long-term contract, he said Tuesday.

“I will not renegotiate during the season,” Lindor said after hitting his first home run this spring, connecting against Houston’s Jairo Solis during the Mets’ 8-3 win.

“I will go to free agency. If something carries on during the season, it’s not fair for me. It’s not fair for the team. I’ve got to give everything I’ve got into winning baseball games. So if it doesn’t happen in spring training, I’ll go to free agency. We’ll talk in November, December, whenever free agency starts," he said.

As for now?

“Nothing serious,” Lindor said. “We’re just talking.”

The Mets obtained Lindor from Cleveland in January, and he's signed for this season at $22.3 million.

The 27-year-old Lindor was an All-Star for four straight seasons before 2020, when there was no Midsummer Classic before of the coronavirus pandemic.

New York opens the season April 1 at Washington.

METS 8, ASTROS 3

Mets ace Jacob deGrom allowed his first run in three spring training starts, a wind-blown homer by Jeremy Peña. The two-time Cy Young Award winner has permitted three hits in 8 2/3 innings with 16 strikeouts and a walk.

Pete Alonso hit his third homer and Dominic Smith also connected. Jeff McNeil had an RBI double to end a 1-for-21 slump.

Houston star Alex Bregman played his first game this spring after recovering from a hamstring issue. He struck out his first time up, was robbed of a two-run homer by center fielder Brandon Nimmo and finished 0 for 3.

YANKEES 7,...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Newly-acquired-Lindor-Mets-start-talks-about-16030799.php