Francisco Lindor’s cost to the Mets in his final year of control before free agency will be $22.3 million.

The Mets and their star shortstop avoided arbitration Friday by reaching agreement on that amount. Lindor, who arrived last week in a trade that also brought Carlos Carrasco to the Mets, was scheduled to receive $17.5 million last season before salaries became prorated because of the pandemic. Lindor’s latest arbitration settlement is the fourth-largest in MLB history, behind only Mookie Betts ($27 million), Nolan Arenado ($26 million) and Josh Donaldson ($23 million).

Now, the question becomes whether the Mets will reach a long-term agreement with Lindor, 27, before he becomes a free agent at the end of the season. During his introductory press conference, Lindor said he would like potential negotiations to conclude before Opening Day.

It’s possible Lindor could be headed toward a deal that approaches or surpasses $300 million. The most recent mega-contract was Betts’ 12-year deal with the Dodgers last summer, which was worth $365 million.

The Mets also reached agreements with Michael Conforto ($12.25 million), Edwin Diaz ($7 million), Brandon Nimmo ($4.7 million), Seth Lugo ($2.925 million), Dominic Smith ($2.55 million), Miguel Castro (1.6875 million) and Robert Gsellman ($1.3 million), avoiding arbitration. The lone holdout was J.D. Davis, who is headed toward an arbitration hearing.

With the Mets possibly committed to staying under the luxury tax threshold of $210 million, every dollar matters, especially with holes in the bullpen and center field that need to be addressed. As it stands, the Mets have a projected payroll of about $185 million for 2021.

If the Mets were to sign the top free-agent outfielder on the market, George Springer, it could leave them with little or no room under the luxury-tax threshold without shedding payroll.

Brad Hand was on the Mets’ radar shortly after the new regime arrived and remains there, as a top option to fill a need for lefty relief.

The Mets are in the mix for Hand, according to industry sources, but were not close to a deal Friday, contrary to reports early in the day that indicated otherwise.

Hand, 30, was placed on outright waivers by Cleveland in November, leaving him available to any team willing to claim him for $10 million. The transaction occurred just before Sandy Alderson took over as team president. Alderson later said that if he had arrived a week earlier, the Mets might have grabbed Hand. Cleveland instead bought out the year remaining on Hand’s contract, making him a free agent.

Justin Wilson, who filled the Mets’ primary lefty relief role the last two seasons, is a free agent and could be considered if they fail to sign Hand.

The Mets have a right-handed bullpen mix that includes Diaz, Trevor May, Jeurys Familia, Dellin Betances, Castro, Brad Brach and Gsellman. It’s also possible Lugo will return to the bullpen, after moving into the rotation last season.

Hand was 2-1 with a 2.05 ERA and 0.773 WHIP and 16 saves last season for Cleveland. The Mets’ biggest bullpen addition to this point has been May, who arrived on a two-year contract worth $15.5 million. Hand would also likely command a two-year deal.