Francisco Lindor has become the most underappreciated player in baseball due to a combination of high expectations and a lack of recognition for his contributions. The New York Mets shortstop consistently delivers exceptional performances, yet his impact often flies under the radar. As the team navigates a competitive pennant race, Lindor stands out not just for his statistics but also for his role in reshaping the Mets’ culture.
Currently experiencing one of the best seasons of his career, Lindor is firmly in the conversation for the National League MVP award. Despite his impressive play on the field, which includes leading the team and contributing to its success, his influence has not received the acknowledgment it deserves. Four years into his tenure with the Mets, Lindor has made a strong case for being the most overlooked athlete in Major League Baseball.
“It’s easy to quantify what he does on the field. That’s really impressive,” stated Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns. “It’s much harder to quantify the impact both by what he says and how he acts.”
As of now, Lindor leads the National League with a fWAR of 7.3, yet he was overlooked for the All-Star team this summer. This snub has been a recurring theme since he joined the Mets, but it does not diminish his performance. Since 2022, he ranks second in fWAR among all major league position players, trailing only Aaron Judge. He is also one of just three players to record over 100 home runs and 75 stolen bases since 2021.
Last week, Lindor achieved a significant milestone by hitting his 30th home run of the season, marking the fifth time in his career he has reached that number—just two shy of Álex Rodríguez’s record for shortstops.
While no Mets player has ever won the MVP award, Lindor may still join the ranks of Darryl Strawberry and Tom Seaver as one of the few players in franchise history to finish second in MVP voting. Discussions surrounding whether he has justified the 10-year, $341 million contract he signed with the Mets often accompany his achievements and setbacks.
“The contract will be worth it the day that I win a championship,” Lindor shared with FOX Sports. “I’m giving back, I’m helping, I’m doing a lot of things [since signing the deal]. But from my point of view, my own expectations, only winning is going to say I earned that contract.”
When discussing Lindor, the term leadership frequently arises. His teammates commend his ability to elevate those around him. In the clubhouse, when he speaks, silence falls; his presence commands attention.
“We look at him now as the captain of the team,” remarked Mets closer Edwin Díaz.
Lindor’s positive demeanor is infectious, inspiring his teammates with his consistency and preparation. As a two-time Gold Glove winner, he remains a reliable fixture in the lineup, even playing through minor injuries and returning to action just hours after welcoming his daughter into the world. Since 2022, he is tied for the second-most games played in the majors.
Outfielder Tyrone Taylor expressed appreciation for Lindor’s treatment of all teammates equally, regardless of their roles. Lindor holds everyone accountable, fostering an environment of mutual respect and growth.
In late May, Lindor called a players-only meeting that has been credited with revitalizing the team’s season. The Mets, who were struggling at 22-33 on May 29, now find themselves 13 games above .500, tied for the final NL wild-card spot.
“I couldn’t imagine having to communicate with every single person here, and then still be able to do my own thing,” Taylor said. “I think that’s impressive.”
“He’s always thinking about everybody else first,” added outfielder Jesse Winker. “This is a guy that’s having an MVP season, but he still puts everyone before himself because he wants to win.”
Lindor now receives MVP chants from fans at Citi Field and on the road. However, the start of the 2024 season presented challenges for him. By April 13, he was batting just .103 with a .393 OPS, marking the worst slump of his decade-long career.
While some media began speculating about a potential decline, Mets fans responded differently. Upon returning to Flushing from a road trip, Lindor received a standing ovation, a stark contrast to the criticism he faced earlier in his career. He quickly rebounded, finishing the first half of the season with a .784 OPS and leading all NL shortstops in home runs.
“Not getting voted into All-Star, I was half expecting that, but I was also a little disappointed that it seems like year after year fans keep forgetting how much value he actually brings,” Lindor’s wife, Katia, shared with FOX Sports. “But obviously he’s had a great last few months, and that alleviates that sense of pressure. Sometimes I dread going to the stadium and just hearing fans talk crap, but I’m there every game. So it’s really, really nice to hear them being positive and cheering him on.”
“The MVP chants have been pretty chilling for me because it’s quite different from what we’ve experienced in the past.”
Lindor’s inaugural season with the Mets was marked by challenges. He signed a $341 million contract shortly after the franchise underwent a significant ownership change. This deal, the richest for a shortstop in MLB history, symbolized a new era of Mets baseball, one that promised success and a strong culture.
While attempting to meet lofty expectations, Lindor faced personal changes as well. He became a father, relocated to a new city, and adapted to a high-pressure environment—all during the COVID-19 pandemic. For someone who thrives on social interaction, the isolation of that season proved challenging.
“It was the pandemic year, and I’m all about smiling and seeing people and connecting,” he reflected. “[Reporters] were talking to me through that Zoom call. The lockers were separated. We couldn’t just be the same. It was different. It was a different year.”
On the field, Lindor experienced a series of hitless streaks, leading to frustration among fans who booed him during games. This marked a tough introduction to New York, a city known for its vocal sports fans. Compounding the situation was an incident where he and teammate Javier Báez made gestures to fans in response to the criticism, which they later regretted.
After four seasons of All-Star selections and MVP considerations with the Cleveland Guardians, Lindor’s first year with the Mets ended with a league-average OPS and his lowest offensive statistics. He also missed time due to an oblique injury, contributing to the team’s continued playoff drought.
“Coming up to the plate and having your own fan base boo you was something totally new for him at the time,” Katia explained. “Obviously, you go to an opposing team’s field and get booed, that’s normal. But when he’s going out every day and working that hard for the Mets fan base, and for this organization, and then having the feeling of them turning on you, that was just a lot to grapple with.”
Lindor has taken on the dual responsibility of transforming the Mets’ culture and driving the team toward success since signing his record-breaking contract. He acknowledges the need to balance his roles as a shortstop, leader, franchise face, father, husband, and community member.
With guidance from former Mets manager Buck Showalter, Lindor focused on his role as the team’s shortstop, allowing him to regain his identity. With support from Mets ownership and his family, he found stability in his new environment. Lindor learned he did not need to change himself to fit the Mets’ mold. Now, manager Carlos Mendoza commends Lindor for his multifaceted contributions as a player and leader.
“Just proud of him,” Mendoza expressed. “He’s got a hard job, you know? Playing shortstop for the New York Mets is not an easy job. And the way he’s doing it, at an elite level, on both sides of the ball. There’s offensively, defensively, base running, and the impact in the locker room, the impact on the organization. We’re talking about a special guy here.”
Several factors contribute to Lindor’s underappreciation in MLB: the weight of his mega-contract, the immense expectations, and the fact that his defensive and baserunning skills often go unnoticed. The Mets’ playoff absences in two of his first three seasons, coupled with a disappointing debut year, have overshadowed his accomplishments. Additionally, his tendency for slow starts at the plate has diminished the impact of his strong second halves, where his OPS consistently improves post-All-Star break. His leadership qualities, which shine brightly within the Mets organization, often remain unseen by the public.
“Well, $341 million is a lot. It’s a lot,” Lindor remarked. “So, whenever you sign something like that, you’re expected to play at a level that only superhumans can play. … But New York is a perfect market for guys that get paid because you can’t take a step back. You always gotta continue to look forward. I’ve found it to be an extremely great place for me and my family.”
Lindor recognizes the importance of maintaining momentum as the Mets approach the postseason. The stakes remain high, and the pressure that has accompanied his journey in New York continues to mount. The future appears bright for the Mets, and Lindor is determined to fulfill his commitment to the franchise. He is driven by the desire to win a championship, a goal he believes will validate his contributions and contract.
“Playing in the postseason every year, making this organization as sustainable as possible, a winning franchise every year, and winning a championship,” Lindor stated. “That’s when I can — hopefully, towards the end of my career — I can look at Steve and Alex and say, ‘I gave you everything that I had. Hopefully, it was worth everything.’
