Mets: Three Francisco Lindor predictions for the 2021 season

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JULY 15: Francisco Lindor #12 of the Cleveland Indians jokes with a teammate during the fourth inning of an intrasquad game at Progressive Field on July 15, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JULY 15: Francisco Lindor #12 of the Cleveland Indians jokes with a teammate during the fourth inning of an intrasquad game at Progressive Field on July 15, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 23: Francisco Lindor #12 of the Cleveland Indians tries to field a ground ball during a game against the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field on June 23, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians won 4-1. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Francisco Lindor wins a Gold Glove Award in 2021

The New York Mets have not had a Gold Glove Award winner since 2014 when outfielder Juan Lagares took home the prestigious award for his outstanding play in center field. Looking further back the Mets have not had a Gold Glove Award winner at shortstop since defensive wizard Rey Ordonez last won the award in 1999. In 2021 that narrative changes with Lindor as he ends the six-year drought and wins a Gold Glove Award in his first season in Queens.

Make no mistake about it, Lindor’s defensive pedigree is about as good as any in the game of baseball today. As a previous two-time Gold Glove Award recipient in 2016 and 2019, it’s reasonable to expect Lindor’s defensive prowess to translate to another award in 2021. Lindor also was the American League Platinum Glove Award winner back in 2016 which is also awarded by Rawlings for the best overall defensive player through a fan vote.

According to FanGraphs, since 2015 Lindor is second among shortstops in defensive WAR and third in runs prevented. Lindor also ranks fourth among defensive runs saved. These numbers further display that Lindor is still an elite defensive shortstop at the top of his game.

At the end of the day, the Mets have a shortstop that improves their overall defense up the middle with the amount of range that Lindor can cover on the diamond. All of these metrics also don’t take into account how Lindor makes not only routine plays look smooth and easy, but he makes the more difficult plays look all the more natural with his flashy glove. It will be a magnificent sight to watch all season long.