What’s next for Francisco Lindor in 2023 in the MLB?

Carlos Nava, Enrique Rojas and Hiram Martínez answer three questions about the future of New York Mets’ stellar Puerto Rican shortstop Francisco Lindor.

1- Did he deliver or did he fall short in 2022?
For Francisco Lindor, it is complicated to measure whether he fulfilled or owed when any New York Mets fan remembers the type and amount of contract he has.

But if you look at his first two seasons in the Big Apple, Lindor delivered and seems to be getting back to the level that led him to sign for $341 million.

He hit 170 hits, including 26 home runs. He scored 98 runs and produced another 107 with a .270 batting average.

He fell short in the Gold Glove voting, but no one can deny that he had another great defensive year, as usual.

To his misfortune, his offensive play fell in the clean sweep he suffered in the playoffs against the San Diego Padres, as did the vast majority of his teammates.

But if you put everything in the balance and leave salary on the back burner, Lindor certainly delivered for his Mets.

2- What are his challenges for 2023?
In the first year of his big 10-season, $341 million contract (2022-2031) with the New York Mets, Puerto Rican slugger Francisco Lindor was one of the most productive players in the majors.

Lindor, who looked like an average player as he battled to suit up for New York in 2021, returned to stardom, hitting 270 with 26 home runs, 107 RBIs and 98 runs scored and racking up 5.4 WAR in 2022 as the Mets won 101 games and advanced to the postseason for the first time since 2016.

After the Mets invested more than $500 million on ballplayers in the dead season and came close to committing another $300 million on Carlos Correa, a compatriot and close friend of Lindor’s, “Paquito” will have more help, but also more urgency to resume the leadership role he had with the Cleveland Indians for most of the six seasons he spent there.

A bullpen player with the tools to win Gold Gloves with his defense and go 30-30 (home runs and steals) with his offense, not to mention his high salary, should not be in the shadow of any of his teammates.

Becoming the face of the Mets, and performing accordingly, is next for Lindor in Queens.

3- A relevant number for his career in 2023?
That number has been reflected in two Silver Bats, two Gold Gloves, .277 average with an offensive line of 342/.474/.816, when you assume (he turns 30 in November) that he is in the early part of the prime of his career.

How does that number compare to some of the game’s best at his position?

Among the most recent, Alex Rodriguez accumulated 46.4 and Cal Ripken 43.4 in his first 8 years. Derek Jeter totaled 36.9, Barry Larkin 34.8.

WAR is indicative of a lot of good things up to the present, but it says nothing about the future.

Nomar Garciaparra, for example, accumulated 41.3 in his first eight years before injuries derailed them and Troy Tulowitzki was going for 32.1 when his debacle came, also due to his physical problems.