New York Mets racing clock when it comes to extensions
The New York Mets have been forthright in their desire to keep both Francisco Lindor and Michael Conforto beyond this season. Both players are due to enter free agency once the 2021 campaign is over, and have stated that they will not negotiate into the season. This leaves the Mets with little time to get a deal done.
With Opening Day less than two weeks away, time is not on the Mets side. And based on reports, there has been little movement towards a deal on either side.
Mets have continued extension talks with reps for Francisco Lindor and Michael Conforto, but there is nothing that can be described as movement on either front. Both have indicated they won’t negotiate beyond spring training.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) March 19, 2021
New York Mets racing the clock
It is not necessarily a surprise that the Mets are not close with either side at this point. The Mets’ initial offer to Lindor was reportedly under $300 million, while his representatives countered with a figure easily surpassing that number. In the wake of Fernando Tatis Jr.‘s extension, it is understandable that Lindor’s representatives would want a deal in that neighborhood, if not higher.
light. More Mets. Imagining an extension for Lindor
Lindor’s counter is completely understandable. Not only did Tatis receive such a high priced extension with far less of a track record, but other top players in the game have exceeded $300 million on their own extensions over the past few years. At just 27 years old, and with his history of success, he should be able to surpass that number on the open market should he reach free agency.
Conforto, meanwhile, is represented by Scott Boras, which poses its own set of problems. Boras greatly prefers to have his clients test free agency in the quest of earning every cent possible in the market. That is not to say that he is entirely opposed to negotiating an extension, but those are typically few and far between.
Interestingly, the Mets may have more time to extend Conforto than they do with Lindor. While there is that same Opening Day deadline, Boras has been known to negotiate into the season. His extension for Stephen Strasburg, for example, was signed in May.
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Nonetheless, the clock is ticking for the New York Mets as they look to extend both Francisco Lindor and Michael Conforto. Opening Day is fast approaching.