Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated reported on Thursday that Francisco Lindor turned down an extension offer worth around $100 million during Spring Training. Prior to Friday’s game in Chicago, reporters caught up with the shortstop to discuss the possibility of signing long-term with Cleveland.

Q: Was Verducci’s report accurate?

Lindor: “That’s something that’s in the past. I’m focused on the game today. I think to not cause any distractions, I’m focused on the game today and I’m focusing on what’s going to happen tomorrow. I’m not worrying about what happened in the past.”

Q: Are you willing to talk extension during the season?

Lindor: “No, no. Once we’re in the season, it’s all about winning. You guys know me very well. I’m all about winning. I’m all about doing what’s right day in and day out, focusing on my job. That’s what I’m doing right now. I’m focusing on my job. As you can see, everybody’s still in the mind-set of winning.”

Q: What about the kind of security that type of contract can bring?

Lindor: “Security? I’ve got my family. That’s all I need in life. I’ve got my family. Everybody’s healthy and I’m happy. I’m happy where I am and I’m happy with my team. Off the field, I’ve got my family. On the field, I’ve got my teammates. That’s why I know I’ll be fine. I believe in the process. I believe in God and whatever’s going to happen is going to happen.”

Q: Do you worry about getting injured before signing a long-term deal?

Lindor: “No, man. I think if you bring negative thoughts into your life, that’s something that can affect you. So, I’m focusing on the game tonight. I’m focusing on what I’ve got in front of my toes.”

Q: Is it tough to turn down an offer that’s right in front of you, even if you believe a bigger deal might exist down the road?

Lindor: “That’s why you make sure you’ve got the right people around you. Whether it’s teammates, whether it’s friends, whether it’s family members, whether it’s the agency you’re with, you’ve just got to be around good people. That will lead you to success. Also, believing in God. I trust God. What’s going to happen is going to happen.”

Q: What have you thought of how the Indians have locked up core players like Jose Ramirez, Roberto Perez and others?

Lindor: “It’s good. Roberto deserved it. Ramirez deserved it. And the guys that have been going to arbitration and got what they got, they deserved that money. I’m happen for that. They’ll be in the organization for a long time, and so will I. I’ve still got four or five years, I think. I don’t even know how many years I’ve got left. So, I’ll be here for a while with them, too, and I’m happy. I’m happy I get a chance to play with them, not only Roberto and Ramirez, but Brantley, Kippy, Kluber, Carrasco. All of them. They’ll all be here for a while and I’m looking forward to playing the game day in and day out. We’ll see how it plays out.”

Q: Can you see yourself signing a long-term deal?

Lindor: “Why not? Yeah, of course, when the time comes, when the right time comes. Is it the right time now? I don’t know. I don’t think so. I’m just focusing on playing the game and whatever’s going to happen is going to happen.”

— JB