Mets: Paul Blackburn criticized the chemistry in the locker room

Charles-Alexis Brisebois
Mets: Paul Blackburn criticized the chemistry in the locker room
Credit: AP Photo / Adam Hunger

Even though the New York Mets signed Juan Soto a year ago, the New York club had a miserable season.

Of course, one of the reasons the big-market club missed the playoffs was the lack of resources in the club's rotation, which wasn't up to snuff.

But more and more, it seems to be understood that tensions in the locker room also made the difference – in a bad way – for the Mets. Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, Brandon Nimmo, and Jeff McNeil were at the heart of rumors that there was bickering in the locker room.

The latter two were traded to the American West recently, proving that the Mets wanted to clean up the club's locker room. #Rangers #Athletics

The Mets, who also lost the services of Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz via the free agent market, saw a former player stand up and speak publicly about the tensions in the club's locker room in 2025.

Paul Blackburn, who played for the Mets in 2024 and 2025, said it was night and day between the atmosphere in the locker room in 2024 (when the club had a superb season) and in 2025.

In an interview with the New York Post, Blackburn said he saw the difference between the two years, but also between the two New York teams. He finished the 2025 season with the Yankees… and in the Bronx, everything was going well in the locker room.

So, what changed between 2024 and 2025 with the Mets? Yes, Soto was there… but the locker room was missing two big leaders: J.D. Martinez and Jose Iglesias. Iglesias and his OMG song brought happiness to town in 2024.

Clearly, David Stearns was too late in understanding the importance of guys like that in a locker room. And from what we understand, that sank the Big Apple outfit in 2025.

Who will play the role of Martinez and Iglesias in 2026?

This content was created with the help of AI.

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