Mets outfielder Juan Soto says any potential clubhouse issues from the last year are 'in the past'
Juan Soto during Mets spring training on Sunday. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The rumblings percolated throughout the offseason — this belief that there was a schism in the Mets' clubhouse, particularly between Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor. And though Soto, Lindor and manager Carlos Mendoza outright refuted the notion, there was at least an acknowledgment that something was amiss in Flushing.
Mendoza last month described it as a “corporate clubhouse” — professional, respectful, but not exactly warm. And Soto, speaking Sunday at Clover Park, tacitly conceded that things could have been better.
“It’s in the past,” he said when asked about the issue. “We forget about it. We’ll focus on 2026.”
But those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it, and Soto knows that, too. So, when asked how to fix it, he was candid: “Have fun. Forget about all the drama and everything, focus on the game and win some ballgames.”
As for Lindor, “I think it’s a great relationship,” Soto said. “We talk all the time in the game and everything. We help each other.”
That’ll be key on a squad that’s far, far different than the one the Mets fielded last year. Soto, for his part, was optimistic that president of baseball operations David Stearns “found a way to have a better team.” And though he doesn’t intend to change the way he goes about his business, he repeated that he would do anything he could to avoid last year’s pitfalls.
To wit, a defensively subpar rightfielder, Soto agreed to move to left. Though Mendoza said the Mets and Soto came to the decision together, the thought didn’t originate from the $765 million man.
“I told [Mendoza] that I was going to play leftfield for the WBC and he asked me if I feel comfortable there,” Soto said. “I told him I’m comfortable everywhere. Everywhere he puts me, I’d be willing to do it. I don’t care. Whatever is going to help the team, I’m open to doing. Him and David started talking about it and as a team, we came up with it.”
Soto last regularly played left with the Padres in 2023, and he’s historically been better there than in right: He has a career minus-9 outs above average in 4,000 2/3 innings in left compared to minus-27 outs above average in 5,219 innings in right.
“They were looking for another outfielder and most of the other options are rightfielders,” Soto said. “They asked me if I’m comfortable . . . I don’t mind at all if it’s going to help my team.”
And whereas last year Soto added a base-stealing element to his game, swiping a career-high 38 bags, this year, he’s hoping for similar improvements in his defense.
“I’m going to try to bring it up to the level of the running game and the hitting,” he said. “It’s definitely not easy, but we’re going to work for it . . . We’re going back to a [position] that I’m familiar with. I’m going to feel comfortable there. I’ve just got to work on the routes again and work on my throws and I think I’ll be ready to go. I think it’s going to be great for the team.”
Soto has always had an all-in mentality, but last year — the one that began with so much promise — certainly stung. And when it comes to things like “chemistry,” the best balm is winning.
Lindor, also asked about the chemistry issue, said as much.
“We’ve always pulled for each other,” Lindor said. “Are we all best friends? That’s not how it works in the clubhouse. But we are friends, we’re good teammates, we care for each other, we love each other and we want the best for each other. We’ve got a lot of new faces — guys that seem like they’re going to work hard and they’re going to do whatever it takes to win. Ultimately, that’s what it comes down to. It’s all about winning and everybody pulling in the same direction.”
Williams & Weaver tinkering
Devin Williams, who threw exclusively four-seam fastballs and changeups last year, has begun the process of reintroducing his cutter and developing his gyro slider to better protect his "Airbender" change — a pitch that was victimized too often last year.
“It’s definitely getting there,” said Williams, who threw two of each in his bullpen Saturday. “I’ve been seeing some good results with that so I’m pretty happy right now.”
Barring anything unexpected, Williams is the closer, Mendoza said.
“We signed him,” Mendoza said. “We didn’t know which way it was going to go. He’s used to pitching in high-leverage [situations]. If you’re asking me right now [if he’s the closer], I’m going to say yes.”
Additionally, Luke Weaver has been toying with his cutter.
“I think it starts with the command of that pitch — his ability to manipulate,” Mendoza said. “Whether it’s backdoor to lefties, to attack up and in to lefties, or use it against righties, it’s been a weapon for him. . . . He’s had some really good success the last couple years with continuing to tinker with his repertoire, and his cutter is part of that.”
Mets add ex-Yankee
The Mets claimed former Yankees catcher Ben Rortvedt off waivers from the Dodgers on Sunday. Rortvedt slashed .190/.279/.270 in parts of four MLB seasons. Reliever Dedniel Nunez (Tommy John surgery) was placed on the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move.
Laura Albanese is the Mets beat writer for Newsday. She's been covering MLB since 2014 after starting at Newsday as an intern seven years earlier.
