"Francisco Lindor is good, but he is no Aaron Judge" - Yankees analyst disputes Juan Soto's potential fit with Mets proposed by former 4x All-Star
On Saturday, MLB and New York Yankees analyst Derek Levandowski and former big leaguer Dellin Betances discussed how Francisco Lindor's New York Mets may be a good fit for Juan Soto.
Soto is set to enter free agency following the end of the 2024 season, and whether he will stay with the New York Yankees or move on to another team has been a hot topic.
Dellin Betances is a player with experience representing both New York teams. The pitcher spent 10 years in the major leagues, playing for the Mets for two seasons and spending the rest in the Bronx. The New York City native has a 21-23 career record, with a 2.53 ERA and 633 strikeouts.
On October 12's edition of 'Pinstripe Territory', Levandowski speculated whether Soto moving to the Mets would be a good fit for all parties involved. [15:20]
"Soto's a guy who will work the count. He's happy to just take his walk, too. He'll pass the baton, he doesn't care. Part of that is having Aaron Judge hitting behind him, which I think is also a big incentive for him to stay [with the Yankees]." Levandowski said [15:20]
"There's nobody the Mets can put behind Juan Soto that can do what Aaron Judge does, and give him that same level of protection... [Francisco] Lindor's good, but he's no Aaron Judge." Levandowski added after Betances mentioned Lindor. [15:30]
Francisco Lindor hits go ahead grand slam as Mets seal NLCS spot
The New York Mets beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1 in the fourth game of the NLDS at Citi Field on Wednesday. With the victory, the hosts won the series 3-1 and sealed their place in the best-of-seven championship series.
With the Mets continuing to strand runners while the Phillies made their big chance count and took the lead in the top of the fourth, it looked like the series would return to Citizens Bank Park for a deciding Game 5.
However, the Mets' pressure eventually paid off, as Francisco Lindor finally made a bases-loaded situation count for the hosts in the most emphatic manner possible, hitting a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning to take his side to the cusp of qualification.
Next, the Mets take on the LA Dodgers in the NLCS, playing the opening game at Dodger Stadium on Sunday. Fans will be hoping Francisco Lindor and co. can keep up their habit of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, as two high-quality sides battle it out to decide who gets to go to the World Series.