The New York Mets are coming off a heartbreaking loss in the NLCS to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and with spring training now in full swing, the expectations couldn’t be higher for a Mets team stacked with one of the most talented rosters in the MLB.
They made headlines this offseason with the biggest move in franchise history, signing free agent Juan Soto to a 15-year, $765 million deal, the largest in American professional sports history.
Adding Soto, who spent last season with the New York Yankees and made a trip to the World Series, is expected to significantly boosted the Mets’ lineup. Soto is widely regarded as one of the best pure hitters in the game, and on Wednesday, his new teammate, star infielder Francisco Lindor—expected to bat leadoff—sent a strong message to Soto, who is likely to follow him in the lineup.
“I have to get on base and let him do what he does,” Lindor said. “He’s one of the best hitters in the game, and I think he’s going to be fantastic whether I’m on base or not. But my job as a leader is to get on base, get things going for the team, and let the big guys behind me do what they do.”
"I have to get on base and let him do what he does."
Francisco Lindor talks about the potential of hitting in front of Juan Soto. Catch the full interview TONIGHT on Mets Hot Stove!
⏰: 6 p.m.
📺: SNY pic.twitter.com/VupOogPEJx— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) February 19, 2025
Last season, both Lindor and Soto were among the top players in the league, and while they’re set to form one of the most dynamic duos at the top of the Mets’ lineup, the team has made numerous moves to strengthen their roster for both the 2025 season and the long-term.
At just 25 years old, Soto is poised to be the centerpiece of the organization for years to come, as they’ve worked to build a powerhouse capable of contending for the World Series year after year—a feat Soto is already familiar with, having won the title with the Washington Nationals in 2019.
In 2024, Soto posted an impressive .288 batting average with 166 hits, 41 home runs, and 109 RBIs. Over the course of his career, he has hit .285 with 934 hits, 201 homers, and 592 RBIs, all while maintaining a .421 OBP and a .953 OPS.
