Francisco Lindor's Leadership Shines Without a Title
The buzz around the New York Mets' clubhouse is all about Francisco Lindor, but not for the reasons you might think. Despite being the heart and soul of the team, Lindor won’t be wearing the captain’s badge anytime soon.
Owner Steve Cohen has made it clear that as long as he’s in charge, the Mets won’t have a captain. Yet, Lindor’s reaction is exactly what you’d expect from a true leader: he’s unfazed and focused on what really matters-playing baseball and winning games.
A Clubhouse Committed to Success
In a recent report from Port St. Lucie, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com captured Lindor’s take on the situation.
Lindor expressed his respect for Cohen's decision, emphasizing that a title wouldn’t change his approach. “This is definitely a Steve, front-office type decision.
I respect it,” Lindor said. He’s all about putting the chatter to rest and focusing on the field: “I’m glad he put everything to bed, so that way we can stop talking about this.
And move on.”
The Mets have a storied history of being selective with their captains, with only four in over sixty years: Hernandez, Carter, Franco, and Wright. Lindor’s stats certainly measure up to those legends, but he’s content to lead without the formal title.
With the departure of veteran voices like Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo, Lindor stands as the longest-tenured position player. Yet, he’s clear that leadership doesn’t require a title.
“It’s just one of those where it’s like, I’m going to focus on baseball,” Lindor told DiComo. He’s confident in the team’s leadership dynamics, saying, “I feel like we’ve got leaders without captains and all that stuff.
The clubhouse is the clubhouse. Let’s just play baseball, and let’s focus on winning.”
The Mets have added plenty of experienced players to the mix, including Juan Soto, Marcus Semien, and Bo Bichette. Pitchers like Sean Manaea and David Peterson have also stepped up vocally.
Lindor acknowledges the support around him: “It’s a lot of good guys here that know the ropes. I’m the same.
Just keep doing their thing. Just focus on getting better, and I’m going to be the best I can be.”
Currently rehabbing from left hand surgery, Lindor is eager to return to the field.
Lindor’s Stellar Performance
Who needs a captain’s title when your stats speak volumes? Over the past four seasons, Lindor has been a standout performer.
His consistency is evident on his FanGraphs page, with a weighted runs created plus (wRC+) well above average. After a challenging first year in New York, Lindor posted a 124 wRC+ in 2022, 120 in 2023, an impressive 137 in 2024, and 129 in 2025.
This shows just how much better he is than the average hitter.
His traditional stats are equally impressive. With 33 home runs in 2024 and 31 in 2025, Lindor is a reliable power threat.
He’s also a force on the basepaths, stealing 29 bases in 2024 and 31 in 2025. Durability?
He’s got that too, playing 152 games in 2024 and 160 in 2025-remarkable for a middle infielder.
For fans, the takeaway is clear: Lindor is performing at an MVP level and saying all the right things. With an .844 OPS in 2024 and an .811 OPS in 2025, he’s delivering immense value with his bat, legs, and glove.
The absence of a captain’s title doesn’t diminish his impact. As he told DiComo, he’s focused on being the best player he can be.
The front office has made its choice, and Lindor is fully on board. Now, it’s all about getting back on the field and leading the Mets to victory.