- The Washington Times - Thursday, April 1, 2021

Francisco Lindor hasn’t made his regular season debut for the Mets yet, but New York secured the star shortstop for the long haul anyway Wednesday night.

Lindor and the Mets agreed to a 10-year, $341 million deal, according to MLB.com. The contract is the third largest based on total value in MLB history, behind Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts ($365 million) and Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout ($426.5 million).

New York traded for Lindor and pitcher Carlos Carrasco this offseason, sending the Cleveland Indians four players in exchange for the pair.

Lindor had set an opening day deadline to sign a new deal. He didn’t want to negotiate a contract during the season. If the deal hadn’t been completed on the eve of opening day, Lindor would have become a free agent following the season.

The Mets and Lindor agreed to a one-year deal in January to avoid salary arbitration, meaning Lindor will be in New York — should everything work out — for the next 11 seasons.

Lindor has hit .285 over his career while averaging 29 homers, 86 RBI and 21 steals each season. The 27-year-old has earned four All-Star nods.

• Andy Kostka can be reached at akostka@washingtontimes.com.

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