Holy Shit: The Mets have their superstar in Francisco Lindor

by Tim Reilly January 07, 2021

Today is my birthday. Once you settle into your 30s, there’s no real excitement around a birthday. Especially when you’re still living a quiet pandemic life. I figured it would be just another Thursday.

Then it happened. The type of move we have been waiting for since Steve Cohen took control of the team. The type of move we’ve been clamoring years for. The type of move the Mets haven’t made since Mike Piazza.

The Mets acquired Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco.

Holy. Shit.

I got a fair bit of birthday messages today (no big deal). But my phone REALLY exploded when the Lindor trade went down. I was 10 when Piazza was acquired. I knew it was a big deal then but I didn’t have the same awareness that I do now. It was a "is this really happening?" feeling.

I was a little down about not making the trip to Keen’s steakhouse this year for my birthday. I’ve gone the last 4 years so that was sort of a quarantine buzzkill. Little did I know that I would still end up with a piece of filet in Lindor. Carrasco is better than any dessert on the menu, too.

What. A. Day.

Normally there are a lot of counter-arguments made after trades and what you part with. Not here. Rosario and Gimenez are nice pieces. I was especially high on Gimenez after last season. But remember it was a small sample size. Who knows what he will ultimately become. What we do know is that Lindor is a certified STAR and Carassco solidifies the rotation. It’s a win-win.

❤️ pic.twitter.com/DmqxNkiiEB
— Amed Rosario (@Amed_Rosario) January 7, 2021

The one word that keeps popping up in my Mets text exchanges that is almost NEVER used is joy. Sheer joy. The collective happiness right now is overwhelming. The Steve Cohen era officially started on Jan. 7. Again, that’s also my birthday. Let’s not forget that…

Lindor is the type of guy you watch play ball and you can’t help but smile. He plays with the same kind of joy that we’re all feeling today. It’s infectious. Hell, I’m smiling right now as I type this out. We’re going to be ear-to-ear along with Lindor once he steps foot on the field.

"I think Lindor's the kind of player that makes one smile."

Mets GM Jared Porter and president Sandy Alderson discuss what makes Francisco Lindor so special: pic.twitter.com/5xlJoRYFMU
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) January 7, 2021

My goodness, Lindor and that smile will be perfect in NY. @The7Line pic.twitter.com/A67OEMqZFr
— Kevin Burkhardt (@kevinburkhardt) January 7, 2021

Cohen couldn’t help himself but have a little fun today after the trade went down.

I know this trade seems to creating excitement but let’s get back to what matters - the black jerseys
— Steven Cohen (@StevenACohen2) January 7, 2021

I wish I could see the smirk on his face when he pushed send on that one.

Tim Britton summed up this trade by recalling a conversation with Al Leiter. Adding Lindor is reminiscent of adding Piazza, who was “the dude” for that late ‘90s team.

Piazza and Marcus Stroman were among those to comment on Thursday’s move.

Very excited for @Mets fans. This off season has the same energy as ‘98, ‘99. Putting a Great team together is very important, but you still have to prove it on the field. Work is just starting. #LGM
— Mike Piazza (@mikepiazza31) January 7, 2021

Not only two of the best in the game...but two of the most humble, down-to-earth human beings on the planet! @Lindor12BC @Cookie_Carrasco https://t.co/flKd2FgIKz
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) January 7, 2021

So far the Mets have added Lindor, Carassco, Trevor May and James McCann this offseason. Sandy Alderson let it be known the Mets are still hungry for more. Is Springer next?!?