The New York Mets are coming off a sad NLCS loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and with spring training underway, the Mets’ roster is one of the most talented in the MLB. They made news last offseason with the biggest move in franchise history, signing free agent Juan Soto to a 15-year, $765 million contract, the richest in American professional sports history.
Adding Soto, who spent last season with the New York Yankees and reached the World Series, is expected to greatly improve the Mets’ lineup. Soto is widely considered as one of the best pure hitters in the game, and on Wednesday, his new colleague, star infielder Francisco Lindor, who is set to bat leadoff, sent a strong message to Soto, who will most likely 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.”
Last season, both Lindor and Soto were among the league’s best players, and while they’re poised to create one of the most explosive duos at the top of the Mets’ lineup, the team has made multiple changes to bolster its squad for both the 2025 season and the long term.
At only 25 years old, Soto is primed to be the organization’s focal point for years to come, as they try to develop a juggernaut capable of competing for the World Series year after year–a task Soto is already familiar with, having won the title with the Washington Nationals in 2019.
In 2024, Soto had an impressive.288 batting average, 166 hits, 41 home runs, and 109 RBIs. Throughout his career, he has hit.285 with 934 hits, 201 home runs, and 592 RBIs, all while maintaining a.421 OBP and.953 OPS.
