New York Mets owner Steve Cohen has publicly acknowledged something the organization had previously avoided confirming: there were real issues between Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor during the 2025 season. While rumors of tension between the two stars had circulated for months, Cohen’s comments mark the first time someone at the top of the franchise has openly admitted that the relationship had become a problem.
Speaking to the reporters, Cohen addressed the long-running speculation and suggested that whatever friction existed has now been resolved.
“Frankly, I think that’s a story that was last year’s story,” Cohen said when asked about the reported feud. “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.”
A Difficult Mets Season Gets Even Harder
Those remarks come at an uncomfortable time for the Mets, who have endured a miserable 2026 campaign. Following Wednesday’s loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, New York sits at 36-51, one of the worst records in Major League Baseball. The disappointing season has already claimed one casualty, with manager Carlos Mendoza dismissed as the organization searches for answers.
The struggles have only intensified the scrutiny surrounding Soto, whose arrival in Queens was supposed to transform the franchise. After helping the New York Yankees reach the World Series in 2024, Soto entered free agency and signed an unprecedented 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets, the richest deal in sports history. Expectations immediately soared, but the team’s results have fallen well short of what ownership envisioned.
Even during Soto’s first season with the Mets, when the club was more competitive than it has been this year, New York still failed to reach the postseason. Cohen’s admission now raises the possibility that clubhouse chemistry played a larger role than many outside observers realized.
Cohen Shuts Down Trade Speculation
Despite the team’s disappointing record, Cohen made it clear he has no intention of breaking up his two biggest stars.
“I don’t see them going anywhere,” he said. “I’m lucky enough to have two high-quality players like that and with the elimination of whatever issues there were last year, I’m thrilled that they’re on the team.”
The statement also puts to rest speculation that circulated during the offseason about Francisco Lindor’s future. Although there had been rumors that the veteran shortstop could become available in a trade, Cohen’s comments indicate the organization still views him as a central piece of its long-term plans. Lindor remains under contract for another six seasons, while Soto still has 13 years remaining on his historic deal.
Can the Mets Turn It Around?
The challenge now is translating that commitment into wins.
Lindor has only recently returned after missing roughly two months with a calf injury, leaving the Mets without one of their most important leaders for a significant portion of the season. Soto, meanwhile, has done nearly everything expected of him individually. He has posted a stellar .971 OPS while launching 17 home runs, continuing to produce at an elite level even as the team around him has struggled.
For the Mets, the focus now shifts from past disagreements to future results. Cohen believes the relationship between Soto and Lindor is no longer an issue. The bigger question is whether improved chemistry can help reverse one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history before more difficult decisions begin to emerge.
