Expectations for Francisco Lindor in 2023

The New York Mets are now entering year three of the Francisco Lindor era, and many fans are expecting big things from him and the 2023 squad. After all, they attain the highest payroll in the league, and coming off a 101 win season. One of the biggest pieces on the roster is their $341M shortstop, and he will have to be factor in a World Series pursuit.

In the 29-year-old's first season in New York, he wasn't as advertised. It was a very unfourtanate start to his career in NY, but we've seen many stars come to NY and struggle. Edwin Diaz is a perfect example, as Mets fans were ready to write him off after his first couple seasons in orange & blue. Once the closer became more acclimated with New York, he got better. In year two Lindor did won over New York, as he drove in over 100 RBI's for the first time in his career. Could year three be an even better year for number 12?

Francisco Lindor is due for a big year with the Mets

Last season Lindor played in 161 games for the Mets, which is outright remarkable in today's MLB. He finished the season with a .270 BA, and a .788 OPS. He was undoubtley a top SS last season, but when he is at his best he is one of the best players, regardless of his position.

The shortstop seemed to be much more comfortable and used to the New York sports market in his second season. As his time wearing a Mets uniform increases, so does Lindor's production. In his first 75 games of 2022 he only hit .241. Over his last 75 games of 2022 he was producing at an elite level, as he produced a .298 BA, 87 hits, 43 RBI's, and 11 HR's. When Lindor is playing at his best, he is one of the most dangerous hitters in the league.

If Lindor's elite second half can carry over into 2023, then the Mets will be even more of a force to be reckoned with. Mets fans haven't seen the best of Lindor yet, and that could mean big things are coming. He was once the shortstop that had three consecutive 30+ HR seasons. He is the same guy that had three Silver Sluggers, and two Gold Gloves before coming to New York. It's not out of the ordinary to think he can get back to those numbers, considering his improvement as time goes on.

Francisco Lindor needs to continue being an off-the-field leader for the Mets

Mets fans have seen many talented teams over the years fall short of the postseason. For example, from 2017-2020 fans were upset at missing the postseason, and many thought it was because of a lack of leadership.

Lindor is a winning player and he will do whatever it takes to get his team a victory. The energy and leadership he brings to New York's dugout cannot go unnoticed, as he was the first new addition of the Steve Cohen Mets. Continuing to be that leader will only set examples for the new players that come into New York's organization, and that example is working towards a World Series.

When Steve Cohen bought the Mets a few years back, he implied his goal of winning a championship in 3-5 years. This upcoming season is year three for Cohen's Mets, and all the pressure is now on the team to succeed. If New York receives elite production out of Lindor in 2023, then it will boost the chances of seeing that World Series Trophy in orange & blue land.