If the New York Mets trade franchise cornerstone Francisco Lindor this offseason, don’t count Eduardo Perez among the fans of the deal.
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Speaking on “The Leadoff Spot” on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM on Friday, Perez didn’t mince words in response to a remark by Steve Phillips — the former Mets GM and ESPN analyst — that Lindor might be traded to the San Diego Padres.
“Francisco Lindor will be a Padre!” The #Padres have already made offers on Lindor. — Steve Phillips #Mets
I posted about this yesterday and TONS of people called me out saying I’m posting click bait and that it’s not true. This was discussed AGAIN this morning on MLB Network pic.twitter.com/s2hRX5QKpC
— NL East Talk (@NLEastTalk) December 12, 2025
Lindor, Phillips said, does not get along with Mets outfielder Juan Soto, “and they’re trying to accommodate it” by discussing a trade with the Padres.
Phillips’ assertion comes days after the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Padres GM AJ Preller was “working multiple fronts” to orchestrate a “massive” trade. Preller did little to quell the rumor in an interview with MLB Network at the Winter Meetings.
Any trade involving Lindor, who signed a 10-year extension with the Mets in April 2021 and is making $32 million a season through 2031, would certainly count as “massive.”
The Mets last year signed Soto to the largest contract in baseball history. Soto’s 15-year, $765 million base salary comes with incentives that could push the value of the deal north of $800 million.
Two players making that much money should be able to set aside their differences, said Perez.
“I’m sorry, this is idiotic on every standpoint,” the longtime ESPN analyst said. “Like, they don’t get along so we need to trade you guys? Figure it out. You guys are men. … You signed lucrative contracts. Figure this crap out and go play the game.”
Lindor and Soto might be able to bury the hatchet but, depending on the return package, a trade might still make sense for the Mets. Last season they missed the playoffs after going 83-79 despite running a $268 million payroll (per Spotrac).
President of baseball operations David Stearns has already shaken things up by trading fan favorite outfielder Brandon Nimmo, and letting Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz walk in free agency. Against this backdrop, it seems less surprising that Lindor might be the next name out of town.
Call it a housecleaning. Whether it’s necessary or not is certainly debatable.
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