Why Mets may make this Francisco Lindor trade deadline decision

Multiple reports shared ahead of the ongoing MLB All-Star break indicated that the New York Mets would not try to acquire top-tier prospects for popular shortstop Francisco Lindor ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline. 

For a piece published on Tuesday, Will Sammon of The Athletic expanded on why Lindor will seemingly stay put for the foreseeable future.

Why the Mets trading Francisco Lindor this summer is difficult

"Teams might not exactly line up for a shortstop showing some decline, let alone one still among the highest-paid players," Sammon said about Lindor. "Beyond this season, Lindor, 32, is owed $160M through 2031. He also holds veto power for trades and declined to get into whether he would waive that right." 

Lindor signed a 10-year contract extension worth up to $341M shortly before the 2021 season got underway. More recently, he needed a procedure this past February for a stress reaction to his left hamate bone. He then suffered a calf injury on April 22 that kept him out of the big league lineup until June 24. Across 40 games this season, Lindor hit just .216 with five home runs and 12 RBI. He's also been surprisingly shaky in the field at times. 

Mets may want to keep Francisco Lindor through at least 2027

"In a vacuum, sure, I would see the logic in moving on from Lindor," Sammon continued. "Finding a deal that makes any sense, though, is quite difficult. Take on another bad contract in a swap? (It is not working out so well with Marcus Semien, acquired for Brandon Nimmo.) Eat money on a player who likely still has good years left when you aim to compete next season? Attach a prospect or someone else to him in something more creative? Owner Steve Cohen told the New York Post he didn’t see Lindor going anywhere. Generally speaking, the deadline is a tough time to move so much money. That is especially true ahead of a potential lockout."

Regardless of what Cohen said about Lindor earlier this summer, it seems like rumors regarding the veteran player's future may not quiet down before or after the upcoming trade deadline arrives. That said, it also sounds like uncertainty regarding salary-related rules that may or may not exist following the expected work stoppage may keep a team from acquiring Lindor and the rest of his massive contract this coming offseason.