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"We haven't discussed Lindor wanting to be captain," Mendoza said. "He's a natural leader, but we believe in a locker room led by multiple voices." He noted that the team already has several veteran leaders, including Marcus Semien and others, who provide guidance without formal titles.
He also touched on Cohen's comments and the team's leadership philosophy, emphasizing a collective approach over traditional captaincy roles.
Handling Player Departures and Free Agency Dynamics
Regarding the high-profile loss of closer Edwin Diaz to the Dodgers, Mendoza portrayed a pragmatic view. He described the process as an inevitable part of Major League Baseball's free agency system, where business decisions ultimately rest with the players.