New Francisco Lindor Trade Rumors Ahead of MLB Deadline, Mets' Plans for Massive Contract

The chances of the New York Mets trading shortstop Francisco Lindor prior to the Aug. 3 trade deadline are "unlikely," per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports during a report on Foul Territory (11:00 mark).

"They're going to listen on pretty much everyone. But the chances of a trade at midseason are unlikely," Rosenthal reported.

Lindor has struggled this season, hitting .220 (.695 OPS) with six home runs and 15 RBI in 43 games. That's led to some trade speculation.

Of note, though, Lindor hasn't enjoyed a healthy year. He missed a couple months with a strained left calf and also sat most of spring training with a broken hamate bone in his hand.

Rosenthal listed a few reasons why they wouldn't trade Lindor, and he started by saying the Mets still view him as a valuable player and a "stalwart" alongside outfielder Juan Soto.

"They're not going to give him away, and they're not going to pay down his contract." He's owed $160 million through 2031, and that's after this year," Rosenthal said.

Rosenthal also noted that Lindor's value isn't great right now given his tough season (largely due to injuries), and he also reported that the shortstop has a full no-trade clause, which obviously would make it harder for the Mets to find a suitable trade partner given that Lindor would have to approve of his next home.

Rosenthal also said that if the Mets were going to trade Lindor, they'd probably do it in the offseason, but he added that the team doesn't seem motivated to make a move.

Last Thursday, SNY's Chelsea Janes reported that the Mets will be sellers at the trade deadline. She listed only five untouchable players: Juan Soto, Carson Benge, AJ Ewing, Christian Scott and Nolan McLean.

"That doesn't mean everyone will go," Janes wrote.

"But it means the Mets will listen on just about everyone, which is in keeping with what people familiar with their thinking have signaled for weeks. That the Mets are fielding calls already suggests they will be spreading out their sell-off over several weeks, rather than waiting until the week of the deadline when the market has settled and time constraints create a more frenetic process."

Lindor is obviously not on that list. Anthony DiComo of MLB.com also reported Monday that Lindor is not "untouchable."

DiComo made clear, though, that Lindor probably isn't going anywhere.

"That's not to say Lindor is entering his final days with the Mets. According to people both inside and outside the organization, the concept of trading Lindor at the Deadline is largely unrealistic. He's probably not going anywhere. But as long as Lindor is purportedly available, he should garner curiosity if not downright interest."

The 32-year-old Lindor is in his 12th MLB season after six years in Cleveland and six more with the Mets. Lindor has finished top 10 in the National League MVP voting each of the past four seasons. He only missed 15 games from 2022-2025.

This year has been an unfortunate one for Lindor as he's sat 57 games and struggled at the dish and in the field too (five errors in a recent 17-game stretch). New York has also struggled mightily as a whole, as its 42-58 record puts the team last in the NL East. The Mets also sit 10 games behind the final wild card spot.

So trades seem inevitable at this point, but Lindor is a good bet to stay in Queens this year.