“Juan Soto is the right man for the job.” - Francisco Lindor on the Mets’ new addition

New York Mets star Francisco Lindor weighed in on the team’s massive signing of slugger Juan Soto.

MLB.com quoted Lindor as he talked about his impressions of his newest teammate.

“It wasn’t like, ‘Francisco Lindor made this happen.' No, that’s not how it goes,” Lindor said.

Lindor’s comments alluded to speculation that he had openly recruited Soto to join the Mets. Lindor addressed the matter by saying:

“This is something that they probably talked through many times before they brought it up to me, and once they brought it up to me, I listened, and I said, ‘Well, I like the plan. Let’s see how everything plays out.’”

Reportedly, Soto’s agent, Scott Boras, and Mets’ brass met several times in secretive locations to avoid needless speculation regarding the massive deal.

Mets owner Steve Cohen also explained how he used his Boca Raton, Florida, home as a hideout for last-minute negotiations. Lindor expanded on the thought process behind endorsing Soto.

“I did my homework, and all the stuff I heard about [Soto] was fantastic." Lindor said, "He’s a hard worker, someone that cares about his craft, someone that cares about his winning, someone that cares about his family, someone that cares about his teammates and somebody that wants to continue to get better.”

The comments underscore Lindor's respect for Soto.

“That’s the Mets," Lindor said. "It sounds like the Mets. It sounds like the culture I wanted to build, be a part of. I think he’s the right man for the job.”

Lindor must wait a few more months before hitting the field with Soto. But when he does, the Mets will have one of the most enviable lineups in baseball.

Francisco Lindor sold on the Mets’ efforts to improve

Lindor was the big fish the Mets reeled in during the 2021 offseason. The Mets acquired him in a massive trade with the Cleveland Guardians.

The deal instantly upgraded the Mets lineup, while providing a solid glove in the infield. But that wasn’t enough for the Mets. The team has continuously strived to improve its roster, bringing in the best possible talent.

Last offseason, the Mets brought in J.D. Martinez, Luis Severino and Sean Manaea, while re-signing Pete Alonso.

But this offseason, the biggest fish was Soto. The Mets swung for the fences and landed their man. But that’s not something that surprised Lindor. Lindor praised the Mets’ front office for bringing in the best talent.

“And now, four years forward, I’m seeing it. They’re doing everything they said they were going to do,” Lindor said. “They were going to put an insane amount of effort on the resources and bringing the right people, bringing people that care about the organization, that care about the culture, that care about each other and that wanted to win. Yeah, I couldn’t be happier for the future.”

The Mets will now hope to be a serious contender in the national league. With Lindor and Soto, the Mets will have the firepower to compete with the best in the league.