Mets legend makes feelings known on Francisco Lindor’s role in light of Juan Soto’s $765,000,000 arrival (Image Source: Imagn)

Former All-Star Keith Hernandez said Francisco Lindor will have no issues with Juan Soto regarding the leadership role for the New York Mets after the latter joined the team on a 15-year, $765 million contract. The ex-Mets first baseman feels Lindor will instead welcome the arrival of a seasoned superstar such as Soto because it only enhances their common ambition of becoming MLB champions.

Hernandez spent seven seasons with the New York Mets and was part of the team that won the last World Series title for the franchise in 1986. He has been a long-time color commentator for the Mets television broadcast on SNY.

This weekend, Hernandez gave a video interview on the Nothing Personal with David Samson podcast. He offered his predictions on how Lindor would view his role as the leader of the Mets clubhouse following the arrival of Soto on a record-breaking deal.

“When they start day one in spring training, [it] is to get to the World Series and be a world champion,” he said (at 40:05). “That’s the overriding factor.”

“This Mets team is very close,” he continued. “Lindor—it’s his team. There’s no question. Soto is going to be just another guy. A veteran they’re going to look up to, and they can share. I think it’s going to be a seamless adjustment, and I think it’s going to be just absolutely fine.”

Francisco Lindor inspired the Mets after a rough start to the 2024 campaign and sealed a playoff spot on the final day of the season. They came close to winning the National League pennant but eventually lost the Championship Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Common goal will create strong bond between Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto

Francisco Lindor led the Mets to brink of a World Series appearance in 2024 (Image Source: Imagn)

Keith Hernandez is confident that Francisco Lindor will have a strong relationship with Juan Soto when the latter joins the New York Mets clubhouse next year. The Mets legend said the two superstars will mesh together well as they have the same ambition of winning the World Series.

To explain the situation, Hernandez recalled his own playing days with the team when they signed Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter from the Montreal Expos.

“That was the missing cog that we needed to make that team what it was in the 80’s and eventually get a world championship,” he said. “All the press had made a big deal if Carter and Hernandez would get along. I was ecstatic.”

“The press would ask the same question, ‘Are we going to get along, the two of us? Two superstars with egos or whatever. Are they going to clash?’ I made it a point that it would never happen,” he added. “We’re here for one reason.”

Francisco Lindor had joined the Mets just ahead of the 2021 season before signing a 10-year, $341 million extension with the team. He batted .273/.344/.500 during the regular season with 33 home runs, 91 RBIs, and 29 stolen bases to finish as the runner-up in the NL MVP race to Shohei Ohtani.