This past January 7 marked the third anniversary of the Mets’ acquisition of shortstop Francisco Lindor in a trade with the Cleveland Guardians. New York sent Amed Rosario and Andrés Giménez to Cleveland, and along with Lindor, the Mets got pitcher Carlos Carrasco in the deal.

While Carrasco’s time in New York didn’t work out, Lindor has played very well over the last two years. Lindor finished that season strong after a tough beginning during his first year in 2021, which has carried over into 2022 and 2023. Lindor’s 2023 was one for the history books, as he had a 30/30/30 season. He joined Howard Johnson, Darryl Strawberry, and David Wright as the only Mets to join the 30/30 club. Lindor was awarded a Silver Slugger for his achievement.

On Thursday, MLB Network continued its lists of the top 10 best players at their positions entering 2024. This edition was for the shortstops, and Lindor was close to the top of the list at No. 2. He was also voted No. 2 by the fans.

Off the heels of his season, it’s easy to see why Lindor was ranked as high as he was. Lindor has not only produced a great bat and hit 20 or more home runs since coming to New York, but his defense continues to be stellar. His leadership also is a big part of his game. Lindor was second in MLB with a 6.0 WAR. His command on the field, in the dugout, and talking to teammates about a pitcher’s tendency after every at-bat is a huge plus.

Top 10 Shortstop Right Now by MLB Network

  1. Corey Seager
  2. Francisco Lindor
  3. Xander Bogaerts
  4. Dansby Swanson
  5. Trea Turner
  6. Bo Bichette
  7. Carlos Correa
  8. Willy Adames
  9. Bobby Witt Jr.
  10. J.P. Crawford

During his stint as Mets owner, Steve Cohen’s best offseason move remains the trade for Lindor. He’s been solid at the plate, on defense, and a leader in the clubhouse. He continues to be not just one of the best shortstops but also one of the best baseball players. The Mets may go through some ups and downs, but Lindor is there to provide stability and steadiness to the team. We’ll see what 2024 has in store for Lindor.

Featured Image by Roberto Carlo