WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 27: Manager Carlos Mendoza #64 of the New York Mets looks on before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on April 27, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
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The New York Mets have seen some concerning results after an offseason that included the departure of many long-time stars and the addition of several new ones.
Shortly after the team cut ties with Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz, Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil, then brought in Bo Bichette, Freddy Peralta and Jorge Polanco to reload, the Mets hold a losing record and have lost two consecutive series going into Sunday.
Amid the disappointing start, concerns are growing for one veteran superstar that the team decided to retain during its offseason overhaul.
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On Saturday, in the second inning of the Mets game against the Athletics, Lindor ran past second base in an attempt to field a grounder that was heading toward his teammate Marcus Semien. After Semien fielded the hit, Lindor was not covering second base as a result and the team was unable to record what might have been an inning-ending double play.
“That was notable because Lindor had already committed multiple mental mistakes in the field this season, playing less than his typical Gold Glove-caliber defense,” Anthony DiComo wrote for MLB.com.
Against the St. Louis Cardinals earlier this month, Lindor lost track of the number of outs while fielding what should have been another inning-ending double play. And he was picked off at first base while adjusting his batting gloves in another remarkable gaffe this year.
In Lindor’s fifth season of a 10-year, $341 million contract with the Mets, anything less than stellar defense from the shortstop does mark a concern for the team as it attempts to recalibrate with a new mix of infielders and return to the playoffs this season. And as his defense lapses, it won’t go unnoticed that Lindor is slashing just .167/.296/.250 in an MLB-leading 71 plate appearances so far this season.
"Not sure," Lindor responded to a question about the source of his uncharacteristic string of mistakes so far this season, according to ESPN’s Jorge Castillo. "I feel like I'm locked in. I feel like I'm in the game. It just happens. Got to be better."
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“It’s weird,” Mendoza said, per Castillo.
Though concerns are growing, at least among the fans, it seems that Lindor and Mendoza both expect better results in the near future, purely based on the shortstop’s long and impressive history.
“He’s the same guy," Mendoza added, according to Castillo. "He shows up. He prepares. He works as hard as anybody. He wants to win. I don't think it's got anything to do with who's in the lineup and who's not.”
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