PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Lindor, Soto See a Recharged Mets Clubhouse and Roster Ready to Compete
If there’s a unifying theme at Mets camp this spring, it’s optimism - not blind hope, but a grounded belief that this revamped roster has the tools to compete. Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto, two of the team’s biggest stars and most influential voices, made that clear when they spoke to reporters for the first time this spring.
And they weren’t just offering soundbites. They were speaking from a place of conviction, shaped by what they’ve seen from the front office and the new-look roster around them.
A New Direction - and a New Identity
Juan Soto didn’t mince words when asked about the Mets’ offseason. The moves may not have all gone according to plan, but in his eyes, the final product is something to be excited about.
“[David Stearns and Eduardo Brizuela], they sat down and made great moves,” Soto said. “They tried hard - big names, big players.
They missed, but they found a way to get a better team. I think we have a really good team.
We have everything we need right now. When you see the roster, I think we’re really complete.”
That’s not just a player toeing the company line. That’s a superstar who’s been in winning clubhouses, recognizing when a front office puts in the work to build something real.
Lindor echoed that sentiment, pointing to the leadership from Stearns, owner Steve Cohen, and the rest of the Mets’ brass.
“Whenever Stearns, Cohen and the whole front office make a decision, it’s for the better of the organization,” Lindor said. “I feel like this team is better than last year.”
He didn’t stop there. The veteran shortstop broke down exactly why he believes this version of the Mets is more complete - and more dangerous.
“They addressed the defense, they addressed the base running, they addressed the hitting, they addressed the pitching,” he said. “I feel like we have what it takes.”
Big Departures, Bigger Additions
This offseason wasn’t about sentimentality. It was about shaking things up - and the Mets didn’t hesitate to part ways with some familiar faces.
Gone are Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz, two fan favorites who left in free agency. Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil were traded, closing the chapter on a core that had some high points - including a trip to the NLCS in 2024 - but ultimately fell short of the championship standard that New York demands.
Soto only spent one season with that group, a campaign that ended without a postseason berth. Lindor, on the other hand, had been in the trenches with those guys for years. He knows what that core was capable of - and where it came up short.
“We definitely didn’t win, we didn’t do what it takes to win championships,” Lindor said. “Ultimately it comes down to winning.”
Now, the Mets are banking on a new mix of talent to change that narrative. The additions are no small upgrades: Freddy Peralta brings frontline rotation stuff.
Devin Williams gives them a lockdown presence in the bullpen. And the new infield trio of Bo Bichette, Marcus Semien, and Jorge Polanco adds both firepower and versatility.
That’s not just a facelift - that’s a roster overhaul with purpose.
Clubhouse Chemistry: A Fresh Start
Of course, talent on paper only goes so far. Championship teams are built in the clubhouse as much as they are on the field. And after reports of behind-the-scenes friction last year - including questions about the dynamic between Lindor and Soto - there’s been plenty of focus on how this group will gel.
Lindor didn’t shy away from the topic. He acknowledged that not everyone in a clubhouse needs to be best friends, but respect and a shared goal are non-negotiables.
“Everybody isn’t best friends in the clubhouse,” Lindor said, “but everyone is respectful and pulling for the guy next to him.”
Soto, as he often does, cut straight to the point.
When asked about manager Carlos Mendoza’s recent comment that the clubhouse felt too “corporate” last season, Soto didn’t dwell on the past.
“That’s last year,” he said. “We forget about it. We focus on 2026.”
As for how to keep things light and focused moving forward?
“Have fun,” Soto said. “Forget about all the drama and everything. Focus on the game and win some ballgames.”
The Bottom Line
This isn’t just a new Mets roster - it’s a new mindset. The front office made bold, calculated moves.
The veterans are buying in. And the clubhouse, while still coming together, seems to be pointed in the right direction.
There’s still a long way to go before anything is proven. But if Lindor and Soto are any indication, this team isn’t just talking about turning the page - they’ve already started writing the next chapter.