Juan Soto Hypes Francisco Lindor's 'Big Time' Leadership for Mets, 'Huge For a Team'

Francisco Lindor has made it a routine to visit with most, if not all, of his teammates following a game or series in the locker room, according to Will Sammon of The Athletic, a ritual that is uncommon in the sport.

And one of his new teammates thinks very highly of the practice.

"I really respect that. He really cares about the guys," Juan Soto told Sammon. "That's huge for a team—to show a little love to every player and have them know that you always have their back, even if they have a bad day. It's big time."

Soto, who signed a record-setting 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets in the winter, has struggled with his new team, at least by his lofty standards, hitting .224 with eight homers, 25 RBI, 34 runs and a .745 OPS.

But Lindor was quick to praise his teammate while giving an in-game interview on ESPN earlier in the week:

"That's a winning player right there," Lindor said of Soto. "You know, his ability to pay attention to details, all he cares about is winning. All he cares about is, at the end of 27 outs, do we have the W? He pays attention to little details, he comes out every day and gives it everything he's got. And I'm proud of him."

In a tough New York market, Soto's struggles have made him the subject of scrutiny, and Lindor surely knows it. Taking a moment to publicly gas up his teammate was another example of Lindor's leadership.