Steve Cohen and Francisco Lindor Have Dinner As Extension Deadline Nears - metsmerizedonline.com

Photo: USA Today

With just four days remaining until shortstop Francisco Lindor’s set opening-day deadline to negotiate a contract extension, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported on Sunday afternoon that Lindor and New York Mets owner Steve Cohen met for dinner on Saturday night.

According to Passan, “there remains hope” that the two sides will be able to reach an agreement on a deal prior to opening day, and should a deal be set, it would be for $300 million plus. Joel Sherman of the New York Post confirmed the report as well.

New York Mets star Francisco Lindor and team owner Steve Cohen got together for dinner last night as the deadline for a contract extension nears, sources tell ESPN. There remains hope something will get done before the Opening Day deadline Lindor set. Would be for $300M-plus.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 28, 2021

One source told MMO’s own Michael Mayer, “an extension before Opening Day was the Mets’ expectation when they acquired Lindor,” and another added they “would be surprised if Mets didn’t get a deal done.”

Mayer notes that Lindor was very adamant on getting to know the organization before signing an extension, and he likes what Cohen brings to the table, and has enjoyed his time in the clubhouse and the passionate Mets fanbase.

This story comes just a day after Cohen posted a question on his twitter Friday evening for fans to respond to, asking, “What do (you) think Lindor will accept? I’m going to crowdsource the answer.”

Jon Heyman of MLB Network said on March 21 that the Mets would be willing to go to $300 million to extend Lindor. He said it appeared that Lindor was looking for more than $300 million and had turned down an offer for $200 million from the Indians, but that there is optimism the Mets are willing to go to $300 million.

As of Sunday, however, momentum seems to be gaining in the conversations to extend the 27-year old superstar shortstop.