Francisco Lindor hits his first home run of spring, casually eyes his long-term future with New York Mets

Just more than two weeks before Opening Day, Francisco Lindor and the New York Mets have begun talking about Lindor's future beyond this season.

The newly acquired All-Star shortstop and the team have started discussing a long-term contract, he said Tuesday.

"I will not renegotiate during the season," Lindor said after hitting his first home run this spring, connecting against Houston's Jairo Solis during the Mets' 8-3 win.

"I will go to free agency. If something carries on during the season, it's not fair for me. It's not fair for the team. I've got to give everything I've got into winning baseball games. So if it doesn't happen in spring training, I'll go to free agency. We'll talk in November, December, whenever free agency starts," he said.

As for now?

"Nothing serious," Lindor said. "We're just talking."

The Mets obtained Lindor from Cleveland in January, and he is signed for this season at $22.3 million.

The 27-year-old Lindor was an All-Star for four straight seasons before 2020, when there was no Midsummer Classic because of the coronavirus pandemic.

New York opens the season April 1 at Washington.