It’s been quite a tumultuous journey for the currently 4th place, 72-86, .456 New York Mets. While not too much remains easy on the eyes and bearable, there’s been several bright spots this month, one that stood out in particular. Here’s a closer look.
One thing is for certain: there’s a ton of underperformers occupying nearly every slot on the field, simply just resulting in blown leads and gut wrenching ugly losses. However bad these Mets are playing these days, one guy has been shutting up the naysayers and earning every bit of his huge contract.
Enter 29 year old Shortstop Fransisco Lindor. Lindor has become quite the source of run production this September, while he’s exceptionally gifted at short he has done well in his last 28 games. In 85 at bats he’s got 21 hits, hit 4 doubles, scored 16 runs, hit 3 home runs, drove in 11, walked 8 times, while sporting a .247 AVG and a .305 OBP.
What’s more insane is what you’re about to read next. His best year, with the formerly Cleveland Indians, now Cleveland Guardians, back in 2018.
In 2018, Lindor hit a whopping 38 home runs, 92 RBIs and impressed with a .277 Average and a .352 OBP.
His 2019 resembled his 2018, where he hit 32 home runs, 74 RBIs, had a .284 AVG and a .335 OBP.
This was more than enough to get billionaire owner Steve Cohen to make the move, bringing Lindor to Queens in 2021.
However, shortly after inking Lindor to a massive 10 year, $341 million dollar deal, fan’s expectations heightened for the star shortstop.
His 2021 got off to a rather cold start- Lindor and fans seemed to not grow anxious as they somewhat expected the jitters from the huge adjustment.
What was going to hopefully be a fantastic season for Lindor and the Mets ended in despair, with both Lindor and the team falling visibly short of expectations. Lindor disappointed with 20 home runs, 63 RBIs, a .230 AVG and a .339 OBP.
The fans grew irate, calling the signing “a waste of money” among various other things.
2022 seemed to look up from there however. Lindor quietly made some noise and got back on track, hitting 26 home runs, 107 RBIs, a .270 AVG and a .339 OBP.
So far this year in total, Lindor has been outstanding, putting up a 5.5 WAR, hitting 30 home runs, driving in 96 runs, and posting up a .250 AVG and a .330 OBP.
As for the fans who have criticized this man day in and day out, you can come out now and apologize. One bad season in a otherwise solid Mets career thus far does not warrant the hate and unappreciative comments this man receives and will continue to receive. The team has a leader on the field and off the field. He makes spectacular defensive plays look routine, as his defense is considerably underlooked.
With the defense and offense Lindor has provided this team with this month, it’s really a pleasure to award him my player of the month of September for the New York Mets. Judging by the fact that his seasons continue to improve here in Queens, this suggests to me he has unfinished business and will likely have a 2018 like season perhaps in the near future.
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