Some offseason advice to Mets fans: Don’t be concerned now about a long-term contact extension for Francisco Lindor. Let this contract situation play out and not be a distraction.

Lindor does not want to make a potential long-term deal into a distraction. Neither should Mets fans make the contract extension a distraction.

During his introductory press conference on Monday, Lindor was asked about signing a contract extension with the Mets. From a Zoom interview his smile showed the enthusiasm of signing a long-term deal.

He responded, “I have never said, ‘I can’t wait to get to free agency, Because for me that was always so far ahead.” 

And it is far ahead. Neither you or I should be concerned but that lingering history of the Mets and signing a player to a long-term deal is always a concern. Still fresh is Zack Wheeler parting ways with the Mets, signing a five-year $118 million contract with the Phillies, thus putting a dent in the Mets’ starting rotation.

So you are excused for being concerned. But there is a difference. This is a new regime. Steve Cohen, Sandy Alderson, Jared Porter would not have traded two shortstops, Amed Rosario and Andres Gimenez along with two prospects if there were concerns about securing Lindor to a long-term deal.

And that was a proper and concise statement from Lindor. A long-term deal will be done but not by tomorrow, in the next week or month. Instead be content and appreciate how the Mets acquired the best shortstop in baseball.

Because the Mets made this deal with every intention of granting a long-term contract. Insiders have informed me that the emphasis of signing Lindor has been discussed. 

A long-term deal for Lindor is realistic. And, yes, the intent is there to sign him and in time become the franchise player right there with Jacob deGrom. 

I have been around this a long time. I saw the previous regimes. I recall the trade for Mike Piazza and the talk of contract extension before he arrived at Shea Stadium. I recall the dark time when the late Tom Seaver, the franchise pitcher, was dealt away at a time when baseball economics were nowhere compared to where it is today.

So there is every reason to get this deal done, more so if you are that avid fan of the Mets. 

Recently, it was Jacob deGrom and the distraction of a long-term deal for the two-time NL Cy Young winner. And that was under the Wilpon regime. But this is different.

So I don’t blame Mets fans to be concerned, in particular those who lived to be patient with the bad anxiety of the Wilpons. Though, I do expect and anticipate Francisco Lindor being signed to a long-term contract. 

But the talk will continue and will linger. Lindor has not commenced negotiations about a long-term deal. The Indians delayed a deal for Lindor as they could not provide the All-Star the same type of contract that Mookie Betts or Manny Machado warranted. 

“It just has to make sense for both sides,” Lindor said. “We’ll see what happens. I’m excited. Just like every fan out there, I’m extremely excited for this new chapter.”

What matters now is Lindor is ready to be a part of bringing a championship to Citi Field for his new chapter. What matters is the Mets are the buzz of baseball and Lindor coming here caught everyone off-guard.

I talked to a few Mets fans the past few days. They are enthused, as I am sure you are. They see this new and different approach. They want Cohen and Alderson to do more, and that is expected after so many years of frustration and bypassing that opportunity to acquire one or two players that could make a difference.

When you consider the acquisitions of James McCann and now Lindor, there is that opinion of accomplishment. But every Mets fan wants more under the realization that Steve Cohen has the resources.

But the reality is salary thresholds, and despite all of the money this new regime brings there is still the difficult reality of baseball economics and loss of significant revenue in the last year caused by no fans and concessions. 

With the Francisco Lindor equation the Mets have to work around signing Michael Confroto to an extension and possibly Noah Syndergaard as well. 

And some of the strategy and potential signing of George Springer has to now revolve around the extension for Lindor. That also revolves around the Mets expending major contracts to any of the other lower-tier free agents that are on their radar.

So be patient my friends. David Wright and $138 million was huge and a commitment. Lindor is here and the long-term contract will surpass that amount.

The Mets did not just make this trade for 2021. Francisco Lindor is here for the long run.