The New York Mets have one of the best shortstops in MLB in Francisco Lindor. The 32-year-old switch hitter has continued to thrive in Queens, although he is off to a sluggish start in 2026. Through his first 37 at-bats, he has collected just five hits and one RBI.
Still, he has appeared in only 10 games, and his track record suggests he will bounce back. Last year, Lindor posted a .267 batting average, .346 on-base percentage, .811 OPS, 31 home runs and 86 RBIs across 160 games.
He was also a Gold Glove finalist again, showcasing his elite defensive ability, and he logged 31 stolen bases while being caught just six times.
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As Lindor looks to get back on track Tuesday individually against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the team behind him has picked him up, winning three straight games against the San Francisco Giants over the weekend.
While Lindor works to become more of a contributor, big news emerged involving a player he was once especially close with on his former team, the Cleveland Guardians. On Monday, Lindor’s former teammate Jose Ramirez etched his name into franchise history by becoming the Guardians’ all-time leader in games played at 1,620.
Lindor had a one-word message for Ramirez on his Instagram story. He reposted an image of Ramirez celebrating the feat and added the word “Leyenda.” In English, it translates directly to “Legend.”
Lindor spent the first six seasons of his career with Ramirez, and the two helped the franchise reach the World Series in 2016, forming a bond that has lasted more than a decade.
Lindor’s time in Cleveland came to an end ahead of the 2021 season when he was dealt to the Mets and subsequently signed a massive 10-year, $341 million contract extension, one Cleveland could not match as a small-market team.
Cleveland remains a key part of Lindor’s legacy, as he earned four of his five All-Star selections with the franchise. His focus now, of course, is on guiding the Mets, who he hopes to lead to the World Series in 2026.
