The New York Mets are widely expected to move several veterans before Monday's trade deadline. That summer sale reportedly won't include Francisco Lindor.
New York has told other teams that Lindor is currently "off limits" for a deadline deal, per USA Today's Bob Nightengale. He's the latest insider to squash a potential blockbuster deal involving the star shortstop, as ESPN's Jeff Passan wrote Thursday that Lindor "isn't going anywhere."
Despite their bloated payroll, the Mets sit last in the National League East and 10.5 games removed from a playoff spot. Lindor hasn't helped their cause much, batting .227/.314/.409 with a league-average 100 OPS+ in 53 games.
After playing in all but 15 games from 2022 to 2025, Lindor missed two months with a calf injury. The two-time Gold Glove winner has also struggled defensively, committing six errors with minus-1 Defensive Runs Saved.
Lindor's down year could lead some skeptics to question his viability as a long-term franchise cornerstone. The 32-year-old will make approximately $32.5 million in each of the next five seasons.
However, that could be all the more reason for the Mets to hold Lindor rather than selling low. A five-time All-Star, Lindor fell one stolen base short of three consecutive 30-30 campaigns before 2026 while ranking second in fWAR among all shortstops.
Lindor is also beginning to heat up at the plate, as the switch-hitter has posted an .882 OPS in 13 games since the All-Star break. He went deep twice in Monday's 14-3 win over the Atlanta Braves.
While the Mets don't appear interested in trading Lindor, president of baseball operations and general manager David Stearns should still have a busy few days before Monday's trade deadline. The Mets sent relief pitcher A.J. Minter to the Minnesota Twins, and Nightengale reported that they plan to move starting pitchers Freddy Peralta and Clay Holmes.