NY Mets Rumors: Long-awaited promotion, Justin Verlander, MLB vet call out team

ALLENTOWN, PA - AUGUST 02: Mark Vientos #13 of the Syracuse Mets in action during a game against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs at Coca-Cola Park on August 2, 2022 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
ALLENTOWN, PA - AUGUST 02: Mark Vientos #13 of the Syracuse Mets in action during a game against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs at Coca-Cola Park on August 2, 2022 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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Mets, Astros, Francisco Lindor
Feb 19, 2023; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) reacts during spring training workouts. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports /

NY Mets rumors: Francisco Lindor’s former Guardians teammate calls him out

Are the New York Mets struggles rooted in clubhouse issues?

Former Cleveland Guardians star Jason Kipnis was on the Foul Territory podcast Tuesday, and discussed the Mets tough start to the 2023 season. Kipnis is convinced that much of New York’s issues fall on a lack of leadership in the clubhouse.

While New York may be one of the more veteran-laden teams in the major leagues, it doesn’t mean they have a locker room full of leaders. There’s a difference, per Kipnis.

https://twitter.com/foulterritorytv/status/1658608265306189825?s=46&t=qxeg7Zy5V2i3h0tpvzz0GQ

The most glaring part of this interview is that Kipnis acknowledges Francisco Lindor’s so-called lack of leadership, as the two played together with the Cleveland Guardians. It should be noted that Lindor was in his early-20’s at that point, and has likely grown since then, perhaps as a leader himself.

In the end, clubhouse leadership is a little overrated. Sure, it’s nice to be able to lean on each other in the midst of a tough stretch, but that can largely be done in groups, rather than with one “rah-rah” speech by the manager or a player in his mid-to-late 30’s.

Much of this is bizarre, the Kipnis using the platform to take a shot at Lindor wasn’t a good look.