MLB insider reveals if Steve Cohen is serious about possible Francisco Lindor trade

While speaking with MLB insiders Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman on the latest edition of "The Show" podcast, New York Mets owner Steve Cohen insisted that neither shortstop Francisco Lindor nor outfielder Juan Soto will be "going anywhere" ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline. 

However, the fact that Cohen also admitted he is "extremely worried" about the future of the organization has some wondering if he could allow Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns to at least take some calls about Lindor's availability. On Thursday, MLB insider Chelsea Janes of SNY touched upon Lindor's short-term future. 

Why Mets' Francisco Lindor could remain the subject of trade rumors

"If the Mets decide they need to recalibrate the heart of the roster – whether due to clubhouse dynamics or multiple years of on-field malaise -- the last five-and-a-half years of Lindor’s $341M contract are still easier to shop than the billions and eons remaining on Soto’s," Janes wrote. "Could a team in need of a long-term middle infield solution and a middle-of-the-order bat decide Lindor is better than what will be available to them in the free-agent market? Or that cost certainty on a player of his caliber is an asset heading into the lockout? That does not seem impossible, particularly for a (president of baseball operations) with a history of trading big veteran contracts for one another, like Stearns did with Brandon Nimmo and Marcus Semien."

There have been stories that claimed Soto and Lindor had a "chilly" relationship last year as the 2025 Mets endured a collapse that resulted in the club missing the playoffs. For what it's worth, Cohen seemed to acknowledge during the podcast that the Soto-Lindor relationship was once an "issue." However, Cohen also said that there has been an "elimination of whatever issues there were last year" and that he is "thrilled that [Lindor and Soto are] on the team." 

Would the Mets actually trade Francisco Lindor this summer? 

Lindor and the Mets agreed to a 10-year contract extension worth up to $341M in 2021. Along with being a fan favorite among paying customers, he is widely viewed as both a cornerstone player for the club and a clubhouse leader.

In short, it's unknown what Cohen and Stearns would want back for Lindor's services ahead of Aug. 3. 

"Lindor is an extremely valuable hitter at his position who has committed himself to New York and proven himself capable of handling ups and downs here," Janes added. "It is not easy to envision the kind of deal that would inspire Cohen to part with him, let alone to shop him while planning to win again in 2027."

Of course, things may go from bad to worse inside the Mets' clubhouse if their expected fire sale gets underway as soon as the All-Star break wraps up. Even still, it sounds like Lindor will remain with the Mets for the foreseeable future.