The New York Mets have already undergone plenty of change this offseason after a second-half collapse saw them miss out on the MLB playoffs. Several familiar faces departed via trade and free agency, including first basemanPete Alonso, closing pitcher Edwin Diaz and outfielder Brandon Nimmo.
With the front office intent on building a new roster and ushering in a new era, the team will no doubt be led by shortstop Francisco Lindor and outfielder Juan Soto, both signed to long-term contracts. They are exactly the type of stars you want as the foundation of a franchise.
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Lindor continued to deliver in his fifth year with the Mets. He played excellent defense while posting a .267 batting average, .346 on-base percentage and an .811 OPS. He added 31 home runs and 86 RBIs across 160 games, finishing tenth in National League MVP voting.
Soto, in his first season with the Mets, was even better. He hit .263 with a .396 on-base percentage and a .921 OPS, while blasting 43 home runs and driving in 105 runs. He also set a franchise record with 127 walks in a single season and finished third in NL MVP voting.
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22)© Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Despite their individual success, a report from Mike Puma of the New York Post earlier in the MLB offseason suggested there was tension between the two stars.
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“Another clubhouse source indicated that relations between Lindor and Juan Soto were chilly, following the latter’s arrival on a record $765 million contract,” Puma reported.
He added that Soto had referred to Starling Marte as the team’s captain rather than Lindor, which was viewed as a subtle jab at the veteran shortstop. The report was concerning given that both Lindor and Soto are the faces of the franchise and need to be aligned for the Mets to thrive.
Fortunately, it appears the two are indeed on the same page. Soto was recently asked about his relationship with Lindor and offered nothing but praise. He spoke in Spanish and his comments were translated into English.
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“Good, I get along very well with Lindor, you know, he’s a great ball player and a tremendous person, and a happy person in the clubhouse amongst everything else,” Soto said.
The Mets’ success in 2026 will hinge not only on the production of Lindor and Soto but also on their ability to lead together. If the two stars maintain strong chemistry, they can set the tone for a clubhouse in transition and give New York the stability it needs to contend again.
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Related: Mets’ Francisco Lindor Sends Message After Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz News
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 14, 2025, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.