On July 23, 2000 — After rejecting a trade to the Mets, 36 year-old Barry Larkin agrees to a three-year, $27 million contract extension to continue to play for the Reds. The deal will keep the former Rookie of the Year (1986), NL’s MVP (1995), and 11-time All-Star shortstop in Cincinnati until 2003.
“This has all really come as a shock to me,” Larkin said. “Today I fielded questions about possibly being a Met. Now Mr. Lindner and the organization have stepped up and signed me for three more years as a Red.”
Mets general manager Steve Phillips had the same reaction to the Reds’ stunning about-face.
“Astonishment,” Phillips said, “only because Jim Bowden told me they were not going to sign him. … I guess we helped Barry Larkin get a contract.”
Only five days earlier, the Reds told Larkin they wouldn’t meet his request for a three-year, $27.9 million extension. Since Larkin could be a free agent, Bowden worked out a trade with the Mets for three players.
The Mets were willing to part with Alex Escobar and two minor league pitchers, according to ESPN’s Peter Gammons. Escobar, a 21-year old switch-hitting center fielder, is the Mets’ best minor league prospect and one of the best in baseball.
His decision to stay drew a 30-second standing ovation from 34,822 fans on Sunday. It also became a prelude to the club’s strangest day since Lindner took control of the team from Marge Schott last September.
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