Francisco Lindor met with the media on Sunday and, true to form, delivered a message filled with optimism and belief in the 2026 Mets. He didn’t sugarcoat the fact that last year’s clubhouse wasn’t exactly a brotherhood, but he also didn’t dwell on it. Instead, Lindor looked ahead - and made it clear he thinks this year’s squad is built to bounce back.
“If you go position by position, it’s definitely better,” Lindor said, before ticking off a checklist that would make the front office nod in approval: defense, baserunning, hitting, pitching - all addressed.
Now, whether every fan or analyst agrees with that assessment is another story. But Lindor’s confidence isn’t just lip service. It’s leadership.
Let’s unpack what he said - and what it might actually mean for a Mets team looking to turn the page.
“Position-by-position, it’s definitely better.”
That’s a bold statement, and one that invites scrutiny. The outfield, for example, still has question marks - especially in right field, where Carson Benge is facing a lot of pressure to prove he belongs.
First base is another unknown, with Pete Alonso’s future still a bit murky and no clear upgrade in place. It’s hard to argue those spots are definitively better.
But up the middle? That’s where the Mets have made real strides.
Marcus Semien brings Gold Glove-caliber defense and leadership at second base, and Luis Robert Jr. in center field changes the dynamic entirely - both with the glove and his ability to impact the game on the bases. That’s a serious defensive upgrade, and Lindor, as the anchor at shortstop, will benefit directly from it.
“They addressed the defense.”
No argument here. The Mets clearly prioritized tightening things up defensively, especially up the middle.
Lindor, Semien, and Robert Jr. form a trio that could be among the best in baseball when it comes to run prevention. That’s not just a boost for the infield - it’s a gift for a pitching staff that needs every out it can get.
“They addressed the baserunning.”
This one raised some eyebrows. Baserunning wasn’t a glaring weakness last season - in fact, under the guidance of Antoan Richardson, the Mets were quietly effective, especially in the stolen base department.
But it’s also one of those areas that’s hard to quantify until the games start. The Mets didn’t make any splashy additions here, but perhaps the focus is more on sharpening instincts and execution than overhauling personnel.
“They addressed the hitting.”
This is where things get interesting. The Mets did lose some offensive firepower, but they’ve added pieces that could make the lineup more balanced and - perhaps more importantly - more clutch.
There’s a belief inside the clubhouse that this year’s lineup might not just match last year’s production, but surpass it in key moments. That’s the kind of improvement that doesn’t always show up in spring training box scores, but makes all the difference in September.
“They addressed the pitching.”
Yes… but not as aggressively as some might’ve hoped. The bullpen now features Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, and Luis Garcia - solid arms, no doubt.
But they’re also entering the season without Edwin Diaz, which leaves a massive hole in the late innings. As for the rotation, Freddy Peralta is a strong addition, but beyond him it’s largely a group of familiar faces.
Rookie Nolan McLean is an intriguing name, but with fewer than 50 innings of MLB experience, he’s still a wild card.
The Mets didn’t overhaul the staff - they tweaked it. And that could be enough if the defense holds up and the offense delivers. But it also leaves room for concern if injuries or inconsistency creep in.
Lindor: The Optimist-in-Chief
This isn’t new territory for Lindor. He’s always been the guy to find the silver lining, even when the standings suggest otherwise.
Last July, with the Mets sitting at 49-54 and 10 teams ahead of them in the NL, Lindor was still talking playoffs. That’s just who he is - a clubhouse leader who doesn’t dwell on what’s missing, but focuses on what’s possible.
It’s fair to say he’s not the guy who’s going to publicly dissect the roster’s flaws. That’s not his role.
His job is to set the tone, keep the energy up, and lead by example. And if the Mets are going to surprise some people this season, it’ll start with that mindset.
So no, Lindor’s comments weren’t a hard-hitting critique of the roster. But they weren’t supposed to be.
This was the first press conference of spring training - not a midseason reckoning. And if you’re looking for reasons to believe the Mets can be better in 2026, Lindor just gave you a few.
He’s not wrong to say the team has improved in key areas. The question now is whether that improvement translates into wins. One thing’s for sure: Lindor will be right in the middle of it, smiling through the pressure, leading the charge.