Mets droughts shortstop Francisco Lindor could help end in 2021

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New York Mets infielder Francisco Lindor makes a throw to first base after fielding a ground ball on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, during a spring training game against the Houston Astros at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie. A smaller crowd than usual was in attendance due to COVID-19 restrictions as stadium capacity was reduced by 80 percent.Tcn Mets Opening Day 04 /

Just the word drought makes my mouth dry up. The New York Mets are familiar with it in a variety of areas. As a team and as individuals, there are plenty of ongoing droughts with the organization.

Alone, one man cannot end every drought within the organization. However, new shortstop Francisco Lindor has a chance to put an end to at least three of them.

In 2021, I expect Lindor to at least make an attempt at bringing some rain to these three ongoing Mets droughts.

Lindor can help end the championship drought

Oh, baby! Go big or go home. We’re starting off with the one drought everyone cares about the most: a championship.

The Mets haven’t won a World Series in my lifetime and I already have a bad hip, hatred for property taxes, and a universal sense of jadedness about everything in the world. To put it another way, I’m getting old!

The 1986 championship remains the last in club history. The team has made it to the playoffs a few times since, twice losing in the World Series.

Lindor obviously won’t be able to end this drought regardless of how well he plays. He’ll need help from the other men around him. Luckily, from the last player on the roster up to the owner, everyone seems eager to put an end to this long-lasting drought.

More than 34 years have gone by since the Mets last lifted the Commissioner’s Trophy in triumph. In 2021, with Lindor at shortstop and a lot of talent around him, he can help put an end to this painful streak.

JUPITER, FLORIDA – MARCH 01: Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets makes the throw to first base for the out in the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins in a spring training game at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on March 01, 2021 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Is Lindor the next Mets Gold Glove winner?

The last time a Mets player won a Gold Glove was in 2014. It may not seem like a long time ago. However, with nine different positions, the team is long overdue for someone to claim this award.

Juan Lagares’ performance in 2014 earned him a National League Gold Glove as a center fielder. Each season since, every Mets player has failed to repeat what he was able to do.

Winning Gold Gloves has not been a specialty for the Mets. From the early days to their best years, defense has rarely been a priority.

Shortstop has been one of the few exceptions. From 1997-1999, Rey Ordonez won the award as a member of the orange and blue. In 1971, Bud Harrelson took one home as well.

Lindor’s defense is one of the more underrated parts of his game. His big bat is what gets the most attention. His glove deserves a little more credit.

Lindor has already taken home a pair of Gold Gloves. Won in 2016 and again in 2019, he may have been able to snag a few others if not for Andrelton Simmons—one of the better modern-era shortstops of all-time.

There are still some tough competitors for the award in the National League, but nothing Lindor cannot overcome. He has been a plus defender in each year of his career. In each of his six MLB seasons, he has finished with a fielding percentage higher than the league average. I know people in 2021 don’t care much about fielding percentage like they did in the olden days. It’s still one measure to understand how few errors this man makes.

Feb 23, 2021; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) participates in batting practice during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports /

The Mets finally have an MVP!

I’m not predicting Lindor wins the National League MVP in 2021. Would I be shocked if he did? Not one bit.

The Mets are one of three teams to never have an MVP winner. The other two came into existence in 1998. So, it’s a scar on the franchise I think many fans would like to erase with some Neosporin.

Lindor has been a top ten MVP finisher three times in his career. His highest was fifth in 2017.

Before any season begins, we can only speculate as to what the competition will look like. On his own team, I think Lindor could have a few guys competing with him for this award. On the other National League teams, we should expect many of the usual suspects plus a few players we never saw coming.

Mets players from the past have been close to winning the award. Darryl Strawberry’s 1988 season felt like the closest. Unfortunately, Kevin McReynolds also received votes and may have actually prevented Strawberry from finally putting an end to this franchise drought.

The Mets have had plenty of other players compete for the honor and fall short. David Wright was almost always in the conversation during his best years. Lindor is a good comparison to Wright, too. There’s little Wright was unable to do. The same goes for Lindor.

The key for Lindor to end this Mets drought might be to get his team to the playoffs. Missing the postseason tends to hurt some players when it comes to the vote. What good is a spectacular season on a below .500 team? Only Mike Trout can overcome this time after time—although he has also been shunned some seasons.

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There is no question Lindor brings a lot of talent to his new organization. My guess is he ends up helping them end at least one of these droughts in 2021.

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Lindor can help end the championship drought

Is Lindor the next Mets Gold Glove winner?

The Mets finally have an MVP!

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