The New York Mets came into the 2025 season with sky-high expectations - and for good reason. After signing Juan Soto to a jaw-dropping 15-year, $765 million deal last offseason, the Mets weren’t just chasing wins.
They were chasing a new era. Add in Francisco Lindor, the heart and soul of the team’s 2024 playoff push, and it looked like New York had built a core capable of contending for years to come.
But baseball doesn’t always follow the script.
Despite a hot start - the Mets were 36-22 by the end of May - the season slowly unraveled. They finished 83-79, the same record as the Cincinnati Reds, but missed the postseason thanks to a head-to-head tiebreaker. It was a bitter pill to swallow for a franchise that had gone all-in.
Then came the whispers.
Reports surfaced suggesting friction between the Mets’ two marquee names - Soto and Lindor. The suggestion was that their personalities clashed, creating tension in the clubhouse. According to a report from November, a source described their relationship as “chilly,” painting Soto as all business, while Lindor was portrayed as more relaxed and expressive - someone who embraced the spotlight both on and off the field.
But over the weekend, Soto addressed the rumors head-on.
During an interview in the Dominican Republic with television host Luz Garcia, Soto was asked directly about his relationship with Lindor. His response was short, but clear: “Good.
I get along very well with Lindor. You know, he’s a great ballplayer and a tremendous person and a happy person in the clubhouse amongst everything else.”
The quote came via a translated clip shared on social media, and while it wasn’t a lengthy breakdown, it was a firm denial of any rift. Soto didn’t hedge.
He didn’t deflect. He praised Lindor as both a teammate and a person, and that’s the kind of statement that matters when the speculation starts to swirl.
Now, let’s be real - when asked about a teammate, no player is going to throw gas on the fire. But it’s also worth noting that Soto didn’t have to go out of his way to speak on the subject.
He could’ve sidestepped it. Instead, he addressed it directly and positively.
And that’s important, because for the Mets to get where they want to go, Soto and Lindor need to be more than just elite players - they need to be aligned. Chemistry matters in a 162-game grind. Stars set the tone, and when your two biggest names are on the same page, it reverberates through the entire roster.
There’s no denying that the Mets’ 2025 season fell short of expectations. A blistering start faded into a frustrating finish, and missing the playoffs by a tiebreaker only added to the sting.
But the foundation is still there. Soto is locked in for the long haul.
Lindor remains a dynamic presence. And if the two are as united as Soto says, that’s a huge step toward righting the ship in 2026.
Because talent isn’t the issue in Queens. It’s about cohesion, consistency, and turning potential into postseason wins. And if Soto and Lindor are truly on the same page, the Mets might still be closer than they seem.