The New York Mets and the newly acquired Puerto Rican shortstop Francisco Lindor have avoided arbitration with a $ 22.3 million settlementaccording to renowned journalist Mark Feinsand from MLB.com. Lindor is a SportsMeter customer. The Lindor deal is even bigger than the $ 17.5 million to $ 21.5 million arbitration projection that MLB Trade Rumors made earlier in the offseason.
The four-time All-Star was still in Cleveland at the time, but knowing the team wouldn’t extend it before the free agency next winter, he decided last week to send him to the Mets in a mega trade.
Unlike the Cleveland, the Mets seem well equipped to meet the requirements of the 27-year-old Lindor for an extension. Lindor estimates he will eclipse the $ 300 million mark in his next contract, but that shouldn’t be an obstacle for new owner Steve Cohen. However, the Mets may need to act quickly, as Lindor said this week that it does not want to negotiate a contract during the season.
In turn, the Mets and outfield Michael Comfort avoided arbitration with a $ 12.25 million settlement, reported New York Post reporter Joel Sherman. Conforto is a client of Boras Corporation.
Conforto, who will soon be 28, has been an excellent offensive player since his debut in 2015, but found another team last season. At 233 appearances on the plateau, Conforto dropped .322 / .412 / .515 with nine home runs. Although receiving an average of .412 beats on the balls in play, Conforto’s 157 wRC + was good for the seventh highest mark in the National League.
Next season could be his last as Met for Conforto, which is scheduled to go to the free agency next winter. But Conforto has expressed interest in a contract extension in the past, and team chairman Sandy Alderson said in November that he hopes to “address” the issue of a new deal this season.
Last but not least, the Mets avoid refereeing with exemptions. Edwin Díaz, Seth Lugo and Miguel Castro. Diaz will earn $ 7 million next season, reports Mark Feinsand from MLB.com (Twitter link). Lugo costs $ 2,925 million, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (via Twitter). Meanwhile, Castro will earn $ 1.6875 million, reveals Mike Puma of the New York Post. All three jugs are controllable until the end of the 2022 season.
Díaz exceeds the projected salary range of 5.1MM – 6.5MM USD. After a tough first season in Queens, it was great last year. The 26-year-old reached 1.75 ERA, with a hit rate of 45.5%, which ranked third among qualified exemptors.
Lugo and Castro, in turn, fall within the projected limits. Lugo had some tough final results last year, but much more impressive starting numbers. Castro was right for the Mets, who bought him in mid-season from the Orioles. Earlier today, New York entered into an agreement with Robert Gsellman and Dominic Smith.