How Juan Soto might influence the Mets' base-stealing philosophy
The Mets' Juan Soto, left, reaches to shake hands with manager Carlos Mendoza, right, in front of Francisco Lindor before an Opening Day game against the Houston Astros on Thursday in Houston. Credit: AP/David J. Phillip
HOUSTON — Francisco Lindor, the Mets’ leadoff hitter and best base-stealer, has a new wrinkle to consider when mulling whether to run: the superstar slugger behind him.
Juan Soto is a welcome variable and a lineup anchor in the No. 2 spot. But his presence at the plate raises a question for the Mets when Lindor reaches first base: How often should he try to steal second?
Maybe he should go more frequently; Soto is so good that a hit is more probable and Lindor should try to get in scoring position. Or maybe he should go less frequently; they shouldn’t take the bat out of their best hitter’s hands. Or maybe they shouldn’t overthink it and just let Lindor be Lindor (and Soto be Soto).
Soto said he does not care either way and “would love for him to go to second base.”
But manager Carlos Mendoza is ready to tell Lindor to hold up when merited.
“We’re talking about one of the best decision-makers in the game, whether it’s at the plate, defensively or baserunning,” Mendoza said. “So I will continue to trust him. I continue to trust [baserunning coach] Antoan [Richardson]. His preparation is off the charts.
“But with that being said, there’s going to be times where I might stop him and say, hey, depending on the situation of the game, where we’re at, where they’re at, I might give him the red light.”
Such as when?
“There’s a lot of different situations,” Mendoza said. “If he steals and it’s early in the count, they’re going to walk Soto. So there’s a lot that goes into it.”
Richardson said: “We’re going to try to be as strategic as possible . . . Without giving you the plan, it’s really important for Juan to be able to swing the bat, but also make sure we’re able to use Lindor’s unique skill set. We’re going to be opportunistic in those situations.”
Lindor has averaged 30 steals the past two seasons. Last year, upon moving to the leadoff spot, Lindor had Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo and Mark Vientos behind him at various times. They were good-to-great, but they weren’t Soto.
When the topic came up during spring training, Mendoza told Lindor to carefully choose when to run, Lindor said.
“I’m going to do the same thing I’ve always done: pick my spots,” he said. “If I can put myself in scoring position for Soto, it’s easier on my legs and easier on him. I’m in scoring position at first base with Soto [at the plate], but from second base, it’s easier than from first.”
Baby watch
With Lindor’s wife, Katia, due to give birth, the Mets aren’t sure how much time he’ll miss — if he misses any at all. “It can happen at any time,” Mendoza said. “It’s been like that for the past week.”
Lindor said: “Whenever it happens, it happens. He’ll come whenever he wants.”
Extra bases
Jeff McNeil has started hitting off a tee, Mendoza said, noteworthy progress in his recovery from a strained right oblique . . . Three weeks after breaking the hamate bone in his left (receiving) hand, Francisco Alvarez is “already receiving, doing catching drills and all that,” Mendoza said. He isn’t due back for at least three more weeks . . . Outfielder Jose Azocar, who was designated for assignment Thursday, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Syracuse.
Tim Healey is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. Born on Long Island and raised in Connecticut, Tim has previously worked for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the Boston Globe and MLB.com. He is also the author of “Hometown Hardball,” a book about minor league baseball in the northeast.
