Francisco Lindor open to Mets extension, but talks haven’t started: ‘I’ve never been scared of free agency’ – Yahoo Sports

Francisco Lindor during spring training Zoom on Feb. 22 2021

With Opening Day just over a month away, the Mets and Francisco Lindor have not had any talks about a contract extension. But there is "mutual interest" in getting one done, Lindor said on Monday.

"We haven't found the time," Lindor told reporters via Zoom. "I obviously got to get to know the organization, get to know the people. And they have to get to know me. If something comes up, we'll see in the future.

"That's between my agent and Sandy (Alderson) and the rest of the staff. I'm just focused on my business and that's doing things the right way here. There's been no insistence. I think it's too early, I think. I'm not sure."

In addition to Lindor, the Mets are also open to a long-term extension with Michael Conforto, who -- like Lindor -- is set to hit free agency after the season.

And while the Mets and Lindor haven't yet had serious talks about a deal (something acting GM Zack Scott recently said would likely happen at spring training), Lindor said there is interest from both sides.

"There's mutual interest. Like I said earlier, I've never been shy about an extension," Lindor explained. "Cleveland did what they had to do. They couldn't keep me. They weren't in the position to keep me. They decided to go in a different route. I've never been shy about an extension, but everything has to make sense. It has to make sense. If it doesn't make sense, then that's just not fair."

Asked about the Opening Day deadline for an extension that he loosely put in place during his introductory news conference as a Met, Lindor said the point of the deadline is to keep the focus on the field once the regular season starts.

"The reason why I have said I don't want it to (go beyond) Opening Day is because as players we have a duty. And the duty is show up and win," he said. "It would be unfair for me and the rest of the team to have an ongoing conversation about extending -- whether it's me or other players -- and we show up on Opening Day and our mind is somewhere else and we don't focus on our duty."

Asked if the 14-year, $340 million deal Fernando Tatis Jr. recently signed with the San Diego Padres would impact him, Lindor instead focused on Tatis' achievement and mentioned that he texted to congratulate him, adding about his own future:

"I've never been scared of free agency. It's not like I got to rush to sign a deal or I can't wait for free agency. I live life on a daily basis."

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Francisco Lindor open to Mets extension, but talks haven't started: 'I've never been scared of free agency' - Yahoo Sports