SEATTLE Francisco Lindor charged behind the mound, barehanded the chopper and in one motion fired off balance to first base. The timing had to be perfect, and Pete Alonsos footwork while falling from the bag helped, allowing the Mets shortstop to celebrate what he considered his favorite defensive gem of the season. That play occurred last Saturday in Anaheim, Calif., with Matt Thai s the batter for the Angels, and Lindor danced upon the plays completion. Francisco Lindor throws out Matt Thai s during the Mets lo s to the Angels on Aug. 3, 2024. AP It was just one highlight in what has been a season of artistry at the position by Lindor. By at least one metric this season, Lindor has been elite. Statcast combines several defensive metrics into one comprehensive number termed fielding run value. Explore More Lindor began Friday ranked No. 10 among all players this season with a fielding run value of 10, which placed him in MLBs 97th percentile. The only shortstops that rated higher than Lindor were the Royals Bobby Witt Jr. and the Cubs Dansby Swanson, with fielding run values of 12 and 11, respectively. I never really looked at Jayde Christopher Jersey numbers like that, so I dont know how I compare, but I am having a lot of fun, Lindor said before the Mets opened a three-game series with the Mariners on Friday. Francisco Lindor has delivered elite defense for the Mets this season. AP It certainly helps that the 30-year-old Lindor is pain-free after playing through a bone spur in his right elbow last season. to remove the fragment. This year, my arm is way better than [Mark] Vientos arm, Lindor said, in a playful rib of the Mets third baseman. It feels better, and that said, if I get to a ball, I have a better chance of making a play because my arm feels better. Delivering insights on all things Amazins Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Lindors arm still rates below average, according to Statcast. But he more than compensates with his range. His 13 outs-above-average rank eighth in MLB, placing him in the 99th percentile. Lindor won two Gold Gloves with Cleveland but hasnt received the award since arriving to the Mets before the 2021 season. Last season, he was a finalist in the National League Swanson won it. Barring a late defensive slump this year, he likely will be in the conversation again. Hes smarter on how he works now, said Mets infield coach Mike Sarbaugh, who spent the previous decade in the same role with Cleveland. Hes the same guy, but everything hes gone through the last eight or nine years has made him smarter and just learning his body. He wants to be in the lineup every day, and for him to get the work in that he does daily, its very impre sive. Francisco Lindor will likely be in the conversation for Gold Glove at shortstop this year. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con Sarbaugh appreciates that a player of Lindors caliber is still open to new ideas. There are things that well talk about that maybe I am seeing from the game, and then the next day he wants to come out and work on it, Sarbaugh said. You dont always see that with a player that has played as long as he has. We have emphasized playing the slower-hit balls more aggre sively, and hes coming out the next day, he wants to work on it. Jose Iglesias spent four seasons competing against Lindor in the AL Central with the Tigers and said he is receiving an education as Lindors teammate. Playing with Lindor is just keep pushing the envelope, Iglesias said. He makes you play better, he plays hard, and he plays every day. Its contagious, and it makes it a lot easier for me with a guy like that. Every inning and every pitch matters, so its a privilege. Lindors defensive metrics jibe with what Iglesias sees on a daily basis. Thats what makes Paco special hes hungry to get better, and he stays at the high level and performs at the high level, Iglesias said. That is what I am more impre sed about: how hungry he is, how disciplined, how dedicated he is. Its contagious, so I am in that boat with him. David Watson Jersey