"That's my problem with Julio Rodriguez that I had" - MLB insider openly questions key flaw in Francisco Lindor

CBS Baseball national reporter Julian McWilliams isn't a fan of Francisco Lindor's habit of beginning the season slowly before getting hot later on. According to McWilliams, the onus is on Lindor to perform well from Opening Day, being one of the highest-paid on the Mets roster.

Lindor joined the Mets from the Cleveland Indians in January 2021. Just hours before the 2021 Opening Day, the shortstop signed a 10-year, $341 million contract extension.

McWilliams aired his criticism of Lindor during his appearance on Monday's episode of Rob Bradford's "Baseball isn't Boring podcast."

"Like Francisco Lindor, dude, you got to play a full season," McWilliams said (From timestamp 22:14) . Like, you got to contribute for a full season. There can't be these times where, and that's my problem with Julio Rodriguez that I had."

The insider acknowledged that Rodriguez had a terrific campaign in 2025, reaching the ALCS (American League Championship Series) with the Seattle. Mariners. Nonetheless, he didn't mince words for Lindor.

"I know I'm getting a little bit off topic," he added. "But you can't be a superstar star in my book and, 'Oh, I get hot late,' because you know what? Those games in April and May matter."

Despite McWilliams' criticism, Francisco Lindor has performed well for the Mets. The 32-year-old shortstop finished inside the top 10 of the NL MVP voting in the last four seasons. In 2024, he finished second, behind Shohei Ohtani, who had a historic 50-homer, 50-stolen base season.

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MLB insider compares Mets' Francisco Lindor to an NBA star

In the 2025 season, Francisco Lindor earned his first All-Star selection with the Mets. Lindor had won four straight, from 2016 to 2019, with the Cleveland Indians. Moreover, he also entered the 30-homer, 30-stolen base club, which was his second in three years.

Incidentally, Lindor's teammate, Juan Soto, also entered the club. However, the individual accolades didn't translate to team success as the Mets did not make the postseason. MLB insider Julian McWilliams blames Lindor for it on the "Baseball isn't Boring podcast."

"He's like the Jimmy Butler of freaking baseball," McWilliams said (From timestamo 22:59)."'Oh, I'll take off for this one, but I'mma get hot.' Well, you know what? Getting hot, not get, not being hot cost your team, cost your team April, May because you sucked, and I'm paying you $300 million."

Jimmy Butler, nicknamed 'Playoff Jimmy", has built a reputation for exceeding expectations in the NBA playoffs. While he averages points in the low 20s in the regular season, Butler's average in the playoffs are in the early 30s.