Could this be the season we finally see the New York Mets be rewarded with an MVP winner? It is a tough ask but everyday it seems more likely this could be the year of Francisco Lindor and a year the Mets surprise everyone. Firstly let’s reiterate the fact the Mets weren’t suppose to be good this season. This was simply a ‘retooling’ year for the Mets and fighting for a playoff spot was the last thing on their minds, flash forward to the beginning of September and the Mets are 2.0 games out of a playoff spot. With injuries lurking in Atlanta and a shaky roster in Philadelphia has made it tremendously easier for the Mets to suction themselves right in the thick of it and it’s all thanks to Mr Smile.

It’ll be a tough road ahead for Lindor in his hopeful journey at securing an MVP as he faces one of baseball’s most publicized stars in Shohei Ohtani who is on the verge of a historic 50/50 season and could cement himself in baseball history again this time as the first DH to ever take home the plaque. But for Lindor it’s a different story, he is the catalyst of this team and without his major everyday production the Mets would be under .500 and would not be fighting for a playoff spot. When you look at the Dodgers team, a team built of baseball’s brightest avengers made to dominate the west year in year out and if you take out Ohtani’s production they are still a powerhouse team that will surge their way to the playoffs. So how can you truly pinpoint the importance a player’s value brings to a team, and are offensive numbers really the most important stat to look at? You cannot justify the difference in value of these players simply on their offensive merits. Ohtani provides no defense this year with him being out for pitching this year so it would make more sense that a player who has played everyday who has bene spectacular with the glove and the bat should take home the award.

For the season Lindor has played in every game up to this point in the season (136) and leads baseball in PA (621) and AB (557) he is nearing at another 30/30/30 season. (homers, stolen bases, doubles) Right now he stands at 29 homers, 80 RBIs, 25 Stolen bases, .270 batting average, .340 OBP, .488 SLG for an OPS of .828 and OPS+ of 133. His stat line is already at a career high for his time as a Met as Lindor could barely get above a .806 OPS in his 4 years in Queens. During Lindor’s best season as a Met which came in 2022 had him post 107 RBIs, 26 homers and yet only accounted for a .788 OPS. It adds to the discussion that even with heightened power and slugging that it still won’t grant you an .800 OPS.

But what has changed since then? Let’s dive into the numbers, since Lindor was moved to the leadoff position on May 18th Francisco Lindor has a .253 batting average with 115 hits, 22 homers, 64 RBIs and 74 runs scored in 112 games. From an abysmal start of the season where he was batting .146 for the first two months of the season where he only managed to have 11 RBI and 23 hits through the first 29 games has since catapulted himself in the MVP race. Lindor was worth almost a minuscule negative -1.0 WAR during that time, and as I write this now Lindor is in the middle of a 31 game hit streak where he’s been batting over .340 has already accumulated 6.0 WAR notching his career high in season WAR during his tenure for the Mets. To comebackm from a horrendous start is something but to be leading in FWAR in baseball this late in the season is incredible. Lindor since joining the Mets has changed his approach from hitting for average for hitting with more power and being more patient at the plate.

During his tenure in Cleveland Lindor averaged 47 walks, 170 hits and a .285 batting average with 82 strikeouts. Now with the Mets he averages an additional 12 more walks a season, 144 hits and a batting average of .257 with 119 strikeouts. On one side an increase in strikeouts means you’re approach at the plate is too sloppy and that you’re just swinging for the fences without thinking however that isn’t the case with Lindor who prioritizes all 5 tools to advance him as one of the most potent hitters in baseball. He is striking out more but he is also hitting the ball harder. Diving into advanced metrics Lindor has a ISO (Isolated Slugging Percentage) of .219% this measures the raw power of a hitter by taking only extra-base hits — and the type of extra-base hit, so rather just be a singles merchant he has adjusted his swing to hit for all across the diamond, reinventing himself and added much more power to his approach. This is Lindor’s best season with a hard hit % of a 47.4%, he is putting the ball into play more but has increased his velocity to continually strike the ball at or above 95 mph.

From someone who has been ridiculed by the media ever since joining the Mets has always been on the outside looking in in terms of being the best player. Since he entered the league in 2015 Lindor has been the 10th best player in terms of WAR and when he joined the Mets in 2021 he’s been the 6th best player yet he always faces scrutiny. People are mad that he isn’t doing ‘enough’ and will ridicule him when he doesn’t come up in big moments as he is suppose to fight through the pressure when he is being paid like a superstar. He is a generational player who will one day enter into the Baseball hall of fame and have #12 forever engrained in Mets history, just fans need to start recognizing his talents and appreciation for what he has brought towards the game and the Mets. He is on the outside looking in but it is closer than people expect for MVP. If Lindor can somehow reach 100+ RBIs and close with 40 homers/40 stolen bases and increase his OPS to more MVP like status as well as push the Mets into contention then ever so maybe could Lindor complete the job and be the first Met to be an MVP winner. Its a tough ask and a lot of pressure riding on this man’s shoulders but pressure is his middle name and I’m looking forward to seeing where the rest of the season goes for Mr Smile.