Soto and Lindor Address Clubhouse Tension as Mets Season Unravels
Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor publicly addressed the reported strain in their relationship Friday, with Soto likening the development of their partnership to early-stage courtship. "When you meet a girl, you don't start kissing her right away," Soto told The Athletic. Both players insisted the discord had been overstated, though team owner Steve Cohen had days earlier all but confirmed the friction was real.
The comments followed a statement from Cohen to the New York Post in which the Mets owner acknowledged last season's tensions before expressing confidence the situation had improved. "Frankly, I think that's a story that was last year's story," Cohen said. "I am told and believe strongly that these guys are getting along much better. And, so, I just don't see that as an issue anymore." Soto said there were "no issues" between the two "at all." Lindor was more expansive, describing Soto as "my brother" and crediting time as the binding factor. "The more time we spend together, it's only natural that our relationship continues to grow," Lindor said. "I have nothing but respect for him." beach football betting
The reported tension between the two stars emerged during their first season as teammates and carried into the current campaign. Reports have described hard conversations between the pair, lockers moved to opposite sides of the clubhouse, and a notably cool exchange on opening day. Lindor downplayed the characterization of those talks, saying the two speak daily about hitting and other topics. "At the end of the day, we are teammates and our job is to win games," he said. Soto joined the Mets on a record 15-year, $765 million contract - the largest in professional sports history - while Lindor has been with the club since a 2021 trade, when he signed a 10-year, $341 million extension under owner Steve Cohen.
The relationship storyline has resurfaced at a difficult moment for the franchise. The Mets have struggled badly this season, performing well below the expectations that accompanied their offseason spending. Soto and Lindor have appeared in only 15 games together in the current campaign due to injuries, a limited sample that has prevented any on-field chemistry from developing at scale. Barring contract changes, the two are contracted to remain teammates through 2032.
