Francisco Lindor Responds to Steve Cohen’s Comments on Mets Captaincy: ‘I Respect Him’

Francisco Lindor, the New York Mets’ longest-tenured player, says he appreciates Steve Cohen’s statement that there will never be a team captain under his ownership. “I respect him. It’s definitely a decision by Steve, the front office guy. At the end of the day, whether I’m named captain or not, I’m still going to act the same way,” Lindor told MLB.com in an article published Thursday. “It’s not something that will make me any different. I’m glad he put it all to bed, so we can stop talking about it. And move on.” The 32-year-old shortstop and five-time All-Star is entering his sixth season with the Mets and has been signed through 2031. New York is entering its third season under Carlos Mendoza. The Mets allowed popular slugger Pete Alonso and star closer Edwin Díaz to leave as free agents and traded two local Mets: outfielder Brandon Nimmo and veteran all-arounder Jeff McNeil. In his first meeting with reporters at spring training this week, Cohen said not having a captain was his decision. He characterized the clubhouse as unique and that he prefers to let it work out each year. “Just my own take on how I want a locker room to be,” Cohen said. “My view is that every year the team is different and I let the team figure it out in the locker room rather than having a designation. Having a captain in baseball doesn’t happen often. It’s actually unusual.” The only captains in Mets history have been Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter, John Franco and David Wright, whose playing careers ended in 2018. “That’s not where they want to go,” Lindor told MLB.com. “I respect it, I understand it and I’m on board. It’s just one of those where I’m going to focus on baseball. I feel like we have leaders (without) captains and all that. The clubhouse is the clubhouse. Let’s just play baseball and focus on winning.” Lindor, long considered one of the team’s leaders, is rehabbing after Feb. 11 surgery to repair a broken bone. hamate on his left hand, which could threaten his status for the start of this season. The operation followed an assessment by a hand specialist after he experienced pain in the area around his hand and wrist. In 160 games last season, Lindor made a record 762 plate appearances while hitting .267 with 31 home runs, 86 RBIs and 31 steals. He was left off Puerto Rico’s roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic due to insurance coverage. Associated Press reporting.