A year later, Mets' deal for Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco looks like a winner
Mets designated hitter Francisco Lindor is greeted in the dugout after he scored against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning of an MLB baseball game at Citi Field on Thursday, April 21, 2022. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Trading for Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco was done with the intention of getting the Mets ito the playoffs.
In 2021.
A year later, and with the team on its third general manager since that deal, what began as the vision of since-exiled Jared Porter, and bankrolled by new owner Steve Cohen, seems to be crystallizing before our eyes.
We know, we know. It’s late April. But we can only analyze the things we’re digesting with in real time. And if Lindor is playing like an MVP candidate, along with Carlos Carrasco being off to a Cy-worthy start, then that’s the sample size on the table.
There was no pumping the brakes on either one of them Thursday at Citi Field, where Lindor went 3-for-5 (as the DH) with a towering solo homer into the Coca-Cola Corner and Carrasco allowed just two runs over 7 2/3 innings to power the Mets past the Giants, 6-2.
Consider this delayed gratification for the Mets regarding the former Cleveland All-Stars, but who’s complaining now? Lindor smacked his fourth homer in only 14 games - last year it took him 45 to get there -- and Carrasco has 20 strikeouts vs. two walks in 18 1/3 innings. Just a reminder, Cookie pitched only 53 2/3 innings total last season, when he had a 6.04 ERA and 50 Ks total in 12 starts.
“That’s the Cookie I know,” Lindor said. “He grinds, he competes. Pitch after pitch, he gets after it.”
Lindor had the same reputation upon his New York arrival, but like Carrasco, his ’21 debut got derailed some by injury -- and allowing himself to get roped into the Flushing circus as well. It may be only two weeks into this season, but that’s already been plenty of time for any negative energy to be erased. “Mr. Smile” is at full wattage, with the Citi crowd in his back pocket after Tuesday’s Game 1 walk-off single and a .357/.438/.750 homestand.
“You don’t become a prisoner to the past,” Buck Showalter said.
The manager was directly referring to Carrasco’s revival. But like many of Showalter’s sayings, they’re designed to fit a multitude of scenarios. And could there be a better mantra for the Mets’ franchise? We’ve seen dozens of imported stars struggle once they get to Flushing, which -- historically speaking -- can be among the most, um, challenging, places to play for a home team.
This season, however, that script has been flipped. Not only have Lindor and Carrasco rebounded in extraordinary fashion, but the new offseason additions to the Mets have instantly made significant impacts.
Eduardo Escobar homered Thursday to put them in front for good in the second inning after the Giants tied the score in the top half. He’s hitting .318 (14-for-44) and leading the Mets in doubles (7), walks (12) and OPS (1.055). Mark Canha, despite a brief stint on the COVID-19 IL, delivered two more RBIs Thursday with two outs, and is now 4-for-6 (.667) in those situations. The Mets’ .345 batting average (19-for-55) with two outs and RISP ranks second in the majors.
“I think everybody in the lineup is feeding off each other,” Canha said. “The transition for me has been pretty seamless.”
As for Max Scherzer, he put his stamp on these Mets ridiculously quick. Too often, it happens the other way around. But to watch Scherzer carry a no-hitter into the sixth inning Tuesday, electrifying an otherwise frigid Citi Field, was to witness the three-time Cy Young winner at the height of his powers. And with Jacob deGrom out indefinitely, Scherzer is worth twice his record $130-million contract to this franchise, at this particular time.
“Billy Eppler and Buck did an outstanding job getting the right guys,” Lindor said. “Because it takes a certain mentality to play here.”
Just as important, Lindor added, was everyone knowing his role, and fulfilling them to the best of his abilities. For Lindor, that means being the engine of these Mets, and he’s now performing that task just as Cohen anticipated in giving him that 10-year, $341-million extension.
Again, it’s April. But on Thursday, the Mets became the first MLB team to get to 10 victories. And they did it by going 4-0 in season series, including taking three of four this week from the Giants, the defending NL West champs that had the most wins (107) in baseball year ago.
As Showalter made sure to point out, 2021 doesn’t mean much now. Lindor and Carrasco would tend to agree. It’s all about the next game, and these retooled Mets, in both body and mind, seem well-equipped to handle what’s in front of them.
“Be a good teammate and hold up your end of the bargain,” Showalter said. “Teammates are counting on you and I’m going to bring what I’m expected to bring.”
The Mets are getting all of that so far. And maybe even more.
David Lennon is an award-winning columnist, a voter for baseball's Hall of Fame and has covered six no-hitters, including two perfect games.
