In July 2000, Larkin blocked a trade to the New York Mets to remain with the Reds. The trade would have sent three players – top minor league outfielder Alex Escobar, pitcher Eric Cammack and pitcher Jason Saenz – from the Mets to the Reds in exchange for Larkin. Larkin said that he would have gone to New York, as he enjoyed playing there, but the Mets did not want to sign him to a multi-year contract. The Reds signed him to a three-year contract extension worth $27 million. In the 2000 season, Larkin missed 59 games after he injured his finger twice and he suffered a knee sprain. He underwent finger surgery in April and knee surgery in September.