For a chunk revealed Monday, Will Sammon of The Athletic detailed how outfielder Brandon Nimmo and shortstop Francisco Lindor started paying for the New York Mets’ group dinners on highway journeys amid the membership’s optimistic run of kind.
“One factor I’ve tried to make some extent of is getting the blokes collectively for a dinner on the highway journeys,” Nimmo defined. “I used to be like, you already know what? It could be good for us to only take them out to a big-league dinner, all of us get collectively, it’s on me or Francisco. Francisco and I as leaders, simply getting the blokes collectively extra and worrying concerning the different guys a little bit bit extra.”
Within the spring of 2023, Nimmo and Lindor had been each talked about as potential future Mets captains on account of what they provide the group on and off the sector. Such discussions occurred earlier than the group allegedly was impacted by supposed clubhouse points forward of a hearth sale that was executed earlier than final summer season’s commerce deadline.
Extra just lately, Lindor referred to as a players-only assembly on the identical night time that the Mets fell to 22-33 on the season again on Could 29. New York ended the weekend at 44-44 and went into Monday afternoon’s matchup on the Pittsburgh Pirates two video games again within the battle for the Nationwide League’s closing wild-card playoff berth.
“I nonetheless should maintain what I’m doing,” Nimmo continued. “However I’ve had numerous time right here now so it’s making an attempt to go that on to the following guys and assist in any means you’ll be able to. Francisco and I are within the place the place we need to take the blokes out and we need to construct some camaraderie. … It has felt emotionally tangible. After which seeing some outcomes on the sector is sweet as effectively.”
After all, the 2 can afford to pay for the occasional meal. Lindor signed a 10-year contract extension that could possibly be value as much as $341M earlier than the beginning of the 2021 season, whereas Nimmo inked an eight-year deal reportedly value $162M in December 2022.
Some imagine Nimmo and Lindor had been robbed of All-Star Recreation roster spots this summer season. It is going to be fascinating to see how the 2 reply to that disappointment starting with Monday’s contest at PNC Park.
