$341M Star Joins Derek Jeter With Historic Achievement That Will Surely Leave Yankees Fans Furious

Since inking his massive 10-year, $341 million deal with the Mets in 2021, Francisco Lindor has become the heart of Queens baseball. A dynamic force both at the plate and in the field. All these years, we saw him delivering with consistency, charisma, and clutch performances, steadily carving out a legacy that’s beginning to echo through the halls of baseball history. And now, with his latest milestone, Lindor is entering a place reserved for legends. The place that drives Cooperstown and comparisons to none other than Derek Jeter.

Yes, even Yankees fans may need to brace themselves: the face of New York baseball might just be wearing orange and blue!

The Mets will kick off a high-stakes weekend series against the Cubs on Friday. And now, after Lindor’s latest achievement, the whispers of traveling towards Cooperstown are growing louder. The Mets are standing top in the NL East at 24-14, and Lindor has been the engine driving their resurgence—reliable, electric, and relentlessly productive. So, what milestone are we talking about?

“Francisco Lindor is the first shortstop to cross the 50-WAR threshold since Derek Jeter,” MLB insider Nuggetchef remarked.

Francisco Lindor is the first shortstop to cross the 50-WAR threshold since Derek Jeter.

— nugget chef (@jayhaykid) May 9, 2025

Well, Lindor recently reached a significant career milestone: 50 WAR. The last shortstop to hit that mark was Derek Jeter, who finished his career with 71.3 WAR. Even more telling, the previous six shortstops to reach the 50-WAR threshold are all in the Hall of Fame. So, you can bet on Lindor as well. He now sits at 50.8 WAR across his 11-year MLB career, including 1.0 so far in 2025.

With many analysts viewing 60 WAR as a virtual Hall of Fame ticket and with Lindor still just 31 and playing at an MVP-caliber level, he’s well on track to surpass that benchmark and make a strong case as a first-ballot inductee. However, the question is, is Lindor better than Jeter?

It’s still too early to compare both.

Despite his individual brilliance, one glaring omission from Francisco Lindor’s resume is a World Series title. In contrast, Jeter got five. Lindor came close in 2016, leading the Indians to the Fall Classic before falling to the Cubs. Now, after a splashy offseason and a blazing start to 2025, Lindor and the Mets look poised to challenge the Dodgers’ recent reign. Should they break through and win it all, Lindor’s legacy would be cemented.

The Lindor-driven Mets’ flying start this year

Juan Soto has definitely been heating up again, showing the kind of power and plate discipline that made him a superstar early in his career. After a bit of an adjustment period with the Mets, he’s been driving the ball with authority, including several home runs recently that signal he’s locked in at the plate. Soto has already amassed 8 home runs, the start long-awaited by the Mets.

However, Soto is the only one contributing to the team’s success. The Mets’ pitching staff boasts an MLB-best 2.89 ERA. Starters like Clay Holmes, Tylor Megill, and Griffin Canning have all maintained ERAs below 3.00, showcasing the depth and effectiveness of the rotation. In a recent game against the Cubs, Holmes delivered six strong innings, allowing just one run and lowering his ERA to 2.74. So, that’s where the Mets are steamrolling others. 

Ahh, did we forget again to acknowledge Lindor’s hitting brilliance?

The Mets’ offense has been equally impressive, averaging 4.82 runs per game. Francisco Lindor is having his best start since joining the team, batting .287 with an .830 OPS through early May. Pete Alonso has transformed into a more balanced hitter, posting nine home runs and 34 RBIs. His improved plate discipline has been a key factor in his success. Hence, the Mets have no gaps left to be filled. 

Just a World Series ring will complete the flying start that both Lindor and the Mets took this year. Do you think they will make it this year?

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