Mets Monday Morning GM: Francisco Lindor is what we hoped Amed Rosario would become

There’s no denying the New York Mets upgraded at shortstop with the addition of Francisco Lindor. Even if it cost them a pair of prospects and two young infielders, the team is a whole lot better.

The feeling of knowing the Mets now have one of the best shortstops in the game has yet to sink in with some fans. The franchise has traditionally had lighter-hitting players at the position. Things are about to change.

It seemed inevitable that by adding a star shortstop the club would move on from Amed Rosario. This is exactly what happened. Mets fans shouldn’t feel too upset about it either because Lindor is exactly the best of what we could have hoped for out of Rosario.

Mets hit the fast-forward button at shortstop

Prior to becoming a big leaguer, Lindor’s minor league career included some pretty pedestrian numbers. He could hit for a good but not great average and draw walks well.

The power was never there, though. His single-season high in home runs as a minor leaguer came in 2014 when he blasted 11 in 567 trips to the plate. It didn’t take Lindor long to beat the total. In 438 MLB plate appearances in 2015, he belted a dozen.

Lindor has since become a pretty fantastic home run hitter. He has three seasons of 30+ on his resume. Also a pretty fantastic defender with two Gold Gloves already, he’s the prototype of what any club would want a young shortstop to become.

Rosario, on the other hand, has not become an elite player in any aspect. He doesn’t hit with much power or average, absolutely stinks at drawing walks, and hasn’t gotten much better on defense.

The one thing he did do well with the Mets in 2018 and 2019 was steal bases. For some reason, even in limited action, he failed to swipe a single bag in 2020.

I know the argument in Rosario’s favor has always been his age. Compared to Lindor, he’s far behind and by a couple of miles.

Lindor is not the best comparison because of how awesome he is in more ways than one. It’s just not fair to the rest of the shortstops in baseball. We can’t hold them all to this same standard.

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In a way, the Mets fast-forwarded any development Rosario may have in him and guaranteed themselves a shot at having one of the best at the position in baseball. There’s no more waiting around. The excuses are gone. This team has the talent at the position they were looking for. Now it’s coming from a different man.