2024 Mets Report Card: Francisco Lindor, SS
It is hard to believe that Francisco Lindor has already completed his fourth season with the New York Mets. In these four seasons, he’s been the model of consistency both on and off the field. Not to mention, his leadership is something the Mets haven’t had in the locker room for a long time. In 2024, Lindor took it to another level.
Francisco Lindor, SS
Player Data: Age: 30 (11/14/1993), B/T: S/R
Primary Stats: 152 G, 689 PA, .273/.344/.500/.844, 169 H, 33 HR, 91 RBI
Advanced Stats: 130 wRC+, 21.0% K%, 16.1% BB%, .297 BABIP, .382 xwOBA, 7.8 fWAR, 6.9 bWAR
2024 Salary: $34.1 million
Grade: A+
2024 REVIEW:
As has been the case over his Mets tenure, Lindor did not get off to a good start. He batted .032/.184/.032 with just one hit between March 28 to April 6. He did play at his expected form from April 7 to May 12, and by May 18, he was hitting .190/.265/.352 with just seven home runs and 26 RBIs. There was a point where Mets fans at Citi Field would give him an ovation as a sign of encouragement. Just like Philadelphia Phillies fans did with Trea Turner during his struggles in 2023.
He still provided good defense, and his leadership was second to none on the team. However, his offensive numbers were going to have to be better. Then, on May 18, before a game in Miami against the Marlins, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza decided to put Lindor in the leadoff spot, in an attempt to shake things up and jolt the offense. It paid off as Lindor and the Mets flourished.
From the moment Lindor was put in the leadoff spot, he truly kicked off what would become an MVP-caliber season and would carry the Mets to a magical season. Since that point, Lindor slashed .304/.374/.554 with a .928 OPS and 160 wRC+. He hit 26 home runs, 70 RBIs, 135 hits, 31 doubles, scored 82 runs, and walked 41 times during that span. He also stole 23 bases. Lindor finished the season with 33 home runs, 91 RBIs, 169 hits, 39 doubles, 56 walks, and 29 stolen bases. If not for a back injury at the end, Lindor would’ve had another 30/30/30 year as he fell one stolen base shy of the milestone. Lindor hit 25+ home runs and 25+ doubles while driving in 90+ RBIs for the third consecutive season.
The Mets’ turning point not only occurred when Lindor stepped up as the leadoff man but when his leadership shined. After a 10-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers that saw reliever Jorge López throw his glove into the stands after being ejected from the game, Lindor called a team meeting. At the time, the Mets were 22-33. However, after Lindor called the meeting, the Mets got hot and turned their season around, culminating on a Monday doubleheader afternoon in Atlanta and a trip to the postseason.
Lindor’s clutch factor this season was something the Mets hadn’t seen since Yoenis Céspedes in 2015 during their run to the playoffs and World Series. Lindor had plenty of big hits but none more significant than in game 161 to clinch the Mets a Wild Card berth. The Mets entered the final day against the Atlanta Braves with a simple goal, win and in. New York was down 3-0 but scored six runs in the top of the eighth to go up 6-3. In the bottom half, the Braves tallied four runs, and the Mets were down 7-6 entering the top of the ninth. With their playoff hopes on the line and Starling Marte on base, Lindor hit a two-run home run that catapulted the Mets to an 8-7 win and a trip to the playoffs.
In the postseason, while Mark Vientos and Pete Alonso mostly took over the offensive production, Lindor was still in the center of action. In Game 3 of the Wild Card Series, down 2-0 in the top of the ninth, Lindor drew a leadoff walk. That helped set the stage for Alonso’s three-run home run to win the series. In the top of the ninth in Game 2 of the NLDS and down 6-4, Lindor worked a one-out single followed by a Vientos two-run home run to tie the game. Lindor’s crowning playoff moment occurred in Game 4 of the NLDS with a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth to lead the Mets to a 4-1 win and their first trip to the NLCS since 2015. That grand slam also resulted in the Mets’ first clinch at home since 2000 and the first at Citi Field.
While Lindor finished 2021 on a positive note and put up solid seasons in 2022 and 2023, this season was his best as a Met. On an offense that saw inconsistencies from Alonso and Nimmo, struggles from Jeff McNeil, Francisco Alvarez, and J.D. Martinez, and Marte only playing 94 games, Lindor was the one consistent presence in the lineup. With his bat, glove, and leadership, he put the team on his back (an injured back, too) and carried them farther than many expected. He may not win the National League MVP Award, but he was without a question the Mets’ MVP in 2024. Lindor was the biggest reason for the ride they went on.
2025 OVERVIEW
Lindor will be 31 next year, but he is still in the prime of his career. He will enter his fifth season as a Met and the fourth year of his 10-year, $341 million contract he signed in 2021.
Lindor remains the one constant the team can rely on heading into next year. Especially with the questions surrounding Alonso’s free agency. Players like Nimmo and Alvarez will look for bounce-back seasons as well. Vientos will enter his second full season and looks to avoid the sophomore regression that plagued Alvarez. Looking around MLB and in the NL East, Lindor could use another consistent bat to help him. Even if he gets off to another slow start, Lindor has proven he’ll still be a productive offensive player by the end of the season.
His defense at shortstop will still be as elite as any player in MLB. His glove and command on the diamond will be something to fall back on even if he’s struggling offensively. Lindor will be a factor for 2025 and more years to come as New York looks to build off their success this season. Overall, this is Lindor’s team, and David Stearns will build the 2025 club around him.
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