Blab Sports
Mets Owner Steve Cohen Says Lindor-Soto Rift Is Resolved Amid 2026 Struggles
When the Mets’ most expensive payroll in Major League Baseball seemed set to translate into a winning season, a quiet storm was brewing behind the scenes.
On a recent episode of the New York Post’s podcast The Show, owner Steve Cohen cut through the noise and told hosts Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman that the story of a fractured relationship between shortstop Francisco Lindor and outfielder Juan Soto was a relic of last year. “I don’t see them going anywhere, and frankly I think that’s a story that was last year’s story, and that actually am told and believe strongly that these guys are getting along much better,” Cohen said. He added, “And so I just don’t see that as an issue anymore. 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 Mets, however, remain in a difficult position on the field. With a 34‑47 record, the club sits fifth in the National League East and last in the division, despite carrying the largest payroll in MLB. The season has been punctuated by injuries and underperformance, and the two stars are unevenly available.
Lindor has appeared in only 30 of the 87 games played so far, posting a .688 on‑base plus slugging (OPS), a .216 batting average, 25 hits, four home runs and nine runs batted in. A calf injury has kept him out for more than half of the season, leaving a gap in both defense and offense that the front office and coaching staff are trying to fill.
Soto, by contrast, has played 68 games, with a .956 OPS, a .293 batting average, 71 hits, 17 home runs and 39 RBIs. His numbers illustrate the return on the club’s 15‑year, $765 million contract— the largest in professional sports history.
The Mets entered 2026 with an 83‑79 record in 2025 and hopes of improving on that performance. The club’s 2026 campaign is its 65th season in Major League Baseball, its 18th at Citi Field, and its sixth under Cohen’s ownership. Yet the high payroll and the presence of star players have not shielded the team from scrutiny over management decisions, including the recent firing of manager Carlos Mendoza and the future of president of baseball operations David Stearns.
Cohen’s remarks arrive at a time when the Mets are evaluating both roster and front‑office structure. While the owner has expressed confidence that the Lindor‑Soto relationship is no longer a concern, the team’s record suggests that other issues—injuries, player performance, and strategic direction—continue to weigh heavily.
The next stretch of games will be critical. A turnaround will require not only the healthy return of Lindor but also sustained production from the rest of the lineup, and perhaps a recalibration of the club’s approach to player development and coaching.
In summary, Steve Cohen has acknowledged that the previously reported friction between Lindor and Soto has been resolved, but the Mets remain in a challenging position on the field. With a large payroll and a roster featuring two high‑profile players, the team’s performance over the remainder of the 2026 season will be closely watched by fans, analysts, and league officials alike.
On a recent episode of the New York Post’s podcast The Show, owner Steve Cohen cut through the noise and told hosts Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman that the story of a fractured relationship between shortstop Francisco Lindor and outfielder Juan Soto was a relic of last year. “I don’t see them going anywhere, and frankly I think that’s a story that was last year’s story, and that actually am told and believe strongly that these guys are getting along much better,” Cohen said. He added, “And so I just don’t see that as an issue anymore. 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 Mets, however, remain in a difficult position on the field. With a 34‑47 record, the club sits fifth in the National League East and last in the division, despite carrying the largest payroll in MLB. The season has been punctuated by injuries and underperformance, and the two stars are unevenly available.
Lindor has appeared in only 30 of the 87 games played so far, posting a .688 on‑base plus slugging (OPS), a .216 batting average, 25 hits, four home runs and nine runs batted in. A calf injury has kept him out for more than half of the season, leaving a gap in both defense and offense that the front office and coaching staff are trying to fill.
Soto, by contrast, has played 68 games, with a .956 OPS, a .293 batting average, 71 hits, 17 home runs and 39 RBIs. His numbers illustrate the return on the club’s 15‑year, $765 million contract— the largest in professional sports history.
The Mets entered 2026 with an 83‑79 record in 2025 and hopes of improving on that performance. The club’s 2026 campaign is its 65th season in Major League Baseball, its 18th at Citi Field, and its sixth under Cohen’s ownership. Yet the high payroll and the presence of star players have not shielded the team from scrutiny over management decisions, including the recent firing of manager Carlos Mendoza and the future of president of baseball operations David Stearns.
Cohen’s remarks arrive at a time when the Mets are evaluating both roster and front‑office structure. While the owner has expressed confidence that the Lindor‑Soto relationship is no longer a concern, the team’s record suggests that other issues—injuries, player performance, and strategic direction—continue to weigh heavily.
The next stretch of games will be critical. A turnaround will require not only the healthy return of Lindor but also sustained production from the rest of the lineup, and perhaps a recalibration of the club’s approach to player development and coaching.
In summary, Steve Cohen has acknowledged that the previously reported friction between Lindor and Soto has been resolved, but the Mets remain in a challenging position on the field. With a large payroll and a roster featuring two high‑profile players, the team’s performance over the remainder of the 2026 season will be closely watched by fans, analysts, and league officials alike.
