MLB News and Notes 3/31/21

Will Francisco Lindor Sign?

With Opening Day right around the corner, one team is still trying to sign one of their best players. As of Tuesday, Francisco Lindor and the New York Mets have yet to reach a deal. Mets owner Steve Cohen had a few words about the unsigned player, saying on Twitter, “Lindor is a heckuva player and a great guy. I hope he decided to sign.”

The Mets have given their best and final offer of 10 years and $325 million. Lindor countered with 12 years and $385 million, which would be the second-largest guaranteed contract in American professional sports history. The only other person ahead of that is the Los Angeles Angels Mike Trout, with a deal worth $426.5 million. 

Behind the scenes, the Mets officials were in dismay about Lindor’s counter offer. A $385 million contract would top the former American League MVP Mookie Betts, who signed a contract with the Dodgers last July for 12 years at $365 million. At the time, Betts was the same age as Lindor, 27 years old, but Betts had four top 10 MVP finishes where Lindor is coming off his worst statistical season as a big-league player. 

The hours between now and opening day will continue to revolve around Lindor, who had expressed an interest to build a long-term home in New York. Two and a half months after acquiring Lindor in a blockbuster trade with Cleveland, the Mets could already be looking at one of the worst trades in history if they can't work out a long-term deal. 

Former No. 1 MLB Pick Attempting Comeback

Mark Appel, the first overall pick in the 2013 draft, is attempting to come back with the Philadelphia Phillies. 

Appel made a statement about why he left the MLB. "All I know is I left because I was hurt," Appel said. "I didn't see a path to getting healthy — at least, a quick path to getting healthy. Just kind of in a tough place emotionally, being away from family and doing something, the rehab life of spending just a few hours at the field and living at a hotel. Being away from everyone. Feeling like you're missing out on parts of life with family back at home."

Appel left baseball to pursue a business career in 2018. He spent the last two years traveling and working at a firm that provides athletes with loans as protection against injury or failure early in their careers. 

Even though Appel was away from the game, Appel wanted to make a comeback. Appel will report to the club’s minor-league spring training camp in Florida this week. 

Will the Seattle Mariners Do Anything This Year?

Seattle surprised baseball pundits and fans alike with a third place finish in the AL West last season. They ended the season two games behind the Houston Astros, who advanced to the ALCS. Seattle's 27-33 record offered tangible results of the efforts behind the multiyear rebuild, which is going on its third year.

The Mariners have not made the playoffs since 2001, where they won 116 games but lost to the New York Yankees in the ALCS. The 19 season drought is the longest active streak in baseball, with the next closest being a nine-year playoff absence from the Philadelphia Phillies.

Kyle Lewis is poised for a breakout campaign in 2021, but his health status for Opening Day is questionable with a bone bruise in his right knee. Jarred Kelenic and Logan Gilbert are close to a major league breakthrough. If they produce as projected, Seattle could be in contention for a division title and finally return to the playoffs. 

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