Francisco Lindor looks at the hitters slotted after him in the New York Mets lineup and figures there won¡¯t be much idle time on the bases this season.
¡°With the guys we have behind me, I better have my hamstrings in a good spot to run,¡± Lindor, the Mets¡¯ leadoff hitter and shortstop, told MLB Network Radio on Monday.
The Mets added one of the game¡¯s top offensive players when they signed outfielder Juan Soto to a 15-year, $765 million contract this offseason. New York also re-signed its own free agent, first baseman Pete Alonso, who hit 34 home runs last season and has averaged 40 homers over the last three years.
As Lindor said on Monday, his job is to get on base. Sometimes that will be followed by the big bats behind him moving him around the bases, and sometimes Lindor will aid that process with his speed.
Lindor stole 29 bases in 2024, narrowly missing out on a second straight 30-30 season.
"When I try to steal, I¡¯m not stealing to get thrown out, so I¡¯ve got to run smart,¡± Lindor said. "At the end of the day, my goal is to get 90 percent, or more -- 95 percent of stolen bases. I¡¯m going to continue to do me and pick my spots.¡±
It was another busy offseason for the Mets, who in addition to signing Soto and Alonso, re-signed starting pitcher Sean Manaea while boosting their rotation with free agents Clay Holmes and Frankie Montas, among several other moves.
While Manaea and Montas battle injuries that could render them unavailable for the start of the season, Lindor remains a constant at the top of the lineup, which now features more heavy lumber in the middle.
¡°That brings a sense of confidence to the team,¡± Lindor said of the Mets¡¯ offseason moves. ¡°And I think we¡¯re in a much better spot this year.¡±
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