Mets' Lindor stands firm on extension deadline, won't negotiate in season

The clock is ticking in Queens.

Superstar shortstop Francisco Lindor reiterated Tuesday he's earmarked Opening Day as the deadline for a contract extension with the New York Mets.

"I will not be negotiating during the season," Lindor said, according to Tim Britton of The Athletic. "It's not fair to me, it's not fair to the team ... If it doesn't happen in spring training, I'll go to free agency."

Lindor acknowledged he and the Mets have started discussions about a potential extension, but the conversations haven't been serious, Britton notes.

In early March, Mets president Sandy Alderson said the club takes Lindor's deadline seriously and will try to reach it, but also expressed hope that talks could continue beyond April 1.

"If things don't work out between now and the end of spring training, we'll figure out a way to hopefully continue to communicate," Alderson said, according to Sports Illustrated's Jenna West.

Lindor was acquired from the Cleveland Indians in January with one year of team control remaining.

He's not the only star player on the Mets who could test the open market next winter. Michael Conforto, Noah Syndergaard, and Marcus Stroman are all currently slated to become free agents at the end of the season.