The New York Mets lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2024 National League Championship Series, and have their sights set on another deep playoff run in 2025. By signing 26-year-old outfielder Juan Soto to a 15-year, $765 million contract this offseason, New York bolstered its lineup with the four-time All-Star.
Soto is expected to hit second in Carlos Mendoza’s lineup, slotting behind shortstop Francisco Lindor who is coming off a second-place MVP finish. Entering the fourth year of his 10-year, $341 million contract with the Mets, Lindor has in many ways become the face of the franchise after his six-year run in Cleveland.
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor
© Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
As Lindor has taken on a greater leadership role in New York, conversations about making him the Mets’ official captain have circulated. On Sunday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reported New York has decided not to name Lindor team captain, at least for now.
“Ultimately, they decided to table the conversation — at least for now,” DiComo reported on Sunday. “That’s not a reflection on Lindor, whom teammates and officials believe would be an excellent organizational steward. It’s simply an acknowledgement that the Mets’ leadership picture is a nuanced one.”
As DiComo detailed throughout his article, the Mets are deciding whether to name a captain for the first time since franchise icon David Wright retired in 2018. While Lindor is seemingly worthy of the honor, the Mets have a collaborative leadership effort in their clubhouse.
“Wright, who served as captain from 2013-18, was the obvious choice of his era,” DiComo explained. “At the time, no other Met featured his unique blend of natural leadership qualities, peer respect, organizational tenure and contractual stability. … The current situation is different, with two long-standing leaders in Lindor and Nimmo, a high-profile newcomer in Soto and several other veterans who garner outsized respect.”
With two tenured leaders, Lindor and Nimmo, a recently signed superstar, Soto, and the highly respected Pete Alonso in the mix, New York has a big decision to make.
Does it make sense to name just one captain? If so, choosing that player will be difficult.
