New York Mets player Francisco Lindor has clarified his recent comments about Juan Sotoās free agency in an interview with The Athleticās Ken Rosenthal. Lindor emphasized that he doesnāt want his opinion to influence the Metsā decision to sign Soto.
Juan Soto, now with the New York Yankees, is one of the best hitters in MLB and will become a free agent at the end of the season. His talent and potential make him one of the most coveted players on the market.
Lindor delivered a forceful message regarding the controversial comments about Juan Soto: āNo. I donāt want it to come down to my decision. When this organization makes decisions, I want them to be data-driven but also come from listening to many other people, not just me. Thatās not how an organization should be run.ā
āWhat I said about Soto is that I would love for him to break every (financial) record out there. I would love for him to go out there and get what he deserves. If heās with us, amazing. If heās with somebody else, amazing, too, as long as he gets what he deserves. I know wherever he goes, heās going to help the organization. But this is not a conversation Iāve had with anybody here. Iām not telling anybody right now, āYou have to go sign him.ā Thatās not my job,ā Lindor added.
Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees hits a first inning 2-run home run against the Cleveland Guardians at Yankee Stadium. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
The competition for Soto
If the Mets manage to sign Soto, they would join the Dodgers, Braves, and Phillies as top contenders in the National League. Sotoās impact on any team would be immediate, as evidenced by his arrival with the Yankees this year.
The Yankees acquired Soto with the intention of forming a powerful offense alongside Aaron Judge. This strategy has paid off, as Soto has set a new career high for home runs, and Judge is close to reaching his own record.
Sotoās future
Both the Mets and Yankees are interested in keeping Soto on their respective teams. However, the competition for his services will be intense, and he is expected to receive multimillion-dollar offers.
Shohei Ohtaniās contract, valued at $700 million, sets a new standard for MLB players. While itās unlikely for Soto to reach that figure, he could become the highest-paid player in the league among non-pitchers.
The Mets are in a prime position to compete for Soto, but they will also face competition from other teams interested in his services. Sotoās final decision will have a significant impact on the MLB landscape for years to come.
