Mets owner Steve Cohen made headlines this week with a bold proclamation that’s stirring up plenty of conversation around the league: under his ownership, the Mets will not have a team captain. That’s right-no “C” on anyone’s chest, no official clubhouse leader. It’s a decision that raises eyebrows, especially considering the timing and the personalities involved.
Cohen’s statement came during a spring training media session, and while it may sound like a philosophical stance on leadership, there’s more to unpack here. According to longtime Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay, this isn’t just about team culture-it’s about managing egos and avoiding a potential rift between two of the Mets’ biggest stars: Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto.
Kay laid it out on The Michael Kay Show, suggesting that Cohen’s decision is a strategic move to sidestep a brewing leadership dilemma. “He’s got two guys that probably think they should be the captain,” Kay said.
“Lindor really wants to be the captain and he’s kind of articulated that to some people. Juan Soto, just by virtue of a 15-year deal... many people thought that he should be the captain.”
It’s a fascinating dynamic. Lindor, the charismatic shortstop and face of the Mets since his arrival, is known for his infectious energy and vocal leadership.
Soto, meanwhile, brings a different kind of presence-more reserved, but no less commanding. His massive contract and superstar pedigree make him an obvious candidate for a leadership role, even if he’s not the rah-rah type.
Cohen’s timing is also worth noting. He’s been at the helm of the Mets for six years, but this is the first time he’s publicly ruled out the idea of a captain. That alone adds fuel to the theory that this is less about tradition and more about diplomacy.
While Soto and Lindor have maintained publicly that they get along just fine, Kay hinted that the relationship may not be as tight as it appears. “Although they say they’re fine, you could tell they’re not close,” he noted, pointing to their contrasting personalities-Lindor’s outgoing nature versus Soto’s more businesslike approach.
This kind of dynamic isn’t uncommon in a major league clubhouse. Not every team needs a single, designated leader to function at a high level. In fact, Kay pointed out that the Yankees, who do have an official captain in Aaron Judge, also benefit from strong leadership voices like Giancarlo Stanton and Gerrit Cole-neither of whom wears the title.
“You can have leadership without the title,” Kay said. And he’s absolutely right.
The best clubhouses often thrive on a mix of personalities and leadership styles. The absence of a captain doesn’t mean a lack of leadership-it just means the team is taking a different approach.
Still, the optics are hard to ignore. Declaring a “no captain” policy now, just months after acquiring one of the game’s biggest stars, feels like a calculated move to keep the peace. As Kay put it, “I do believe it is a concession to not tick off either Soto or Lindor.”
Whether or not that’s the case, the Mets now enter the season with two franchise cornerstones and no official captain. But make no mistake-this team won’t lack for leadership. It just might look a little different than what we’re used to.