Mets Manager Denies Political Divide in Clubhouse

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New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza addressed reports of a political divide in the team's clubhouse, denying that differences in support for former U.S. President Donald Trump were behind the team's roster overhaul in the offseason. Mendoza said the players got along well and the only issue was the team's disappointing performance on the field last season.

Why it matters

The report of a political rift in the Mets' clubhouse threatened to become a major distraction for the team as they look to rebound from a playoff miss. Mendoza's strong denial of the claims aims to put the controversy to rest and allow the team to focus on the upcoming season.

The details

A prominent sports radio host reported that the Mets' trade of outfielder Brandon Nimmo was motivated by a feud between Nimmo and star shortstop Francisco Lindor over their support for former President Donald Trump. However, Mendoza dismissed the report, saying 'That's a first for me about politics' and that the players 'just didn't win games on the baseball field' last season.

• The report surfaced shortly after the Mets agreed to trade Nimmo and acquire Marcus Semien in the offseason.

What they’re saying

What’s next

With Nimmo now traded, it appears the Mets are hoping to move past the political controversy and focus on improving their performance on the field next season.