For six years, Francisco Lindor was the smiling face of the Cleveland Guardians, helping the team reach the World Series in 2016, make four All-Star teams, hit over 30 home runs three times, win two Gold Glove Awards and Finished in the finals. Top 10 in MVP voting three times. Even now, in the third season since the Guardians traded Lindor to the New York Mets, Cleveland’s Chris Antonetti reiterated how difficult it was to trade their superstar shortstop.
The Guardian president of baseball operations recently told the dugout, “Our clear priority was for Francisco to play a lot in Cleveland and we worked hard to make that happen, but in the end that was not our reality.” His team took batting practice at Fenway Park.
The trade side of the Mets has been well publicized: They acquired Lindor and pitcher Carlos Carrasco ahead of the 2021 season for young infielders Amed Rosario, Andres Jimenez and two prospects, then signed Lindor to a contract extension. for 10 years and just before $341 million on opening day.
Lindor’s first season with the Mets was mostly a disaster as he hit below .200 in the first two months. Then, as the Mets fell out of the playoff race in August, Lindor and teammate Javier Báez, incensed by the booing of Mets fans, performed their infamous “thumbs down” gesture to the home crowd.
