MLB Insider Hints at Hidden Turmoil Within the New York Mets

Rosenthal believes there are personal issues among some Mets players that have severely affected the team's on-field performance.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 8:35am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball game, with sharp planes of color and form representing the complex, unseen dynamics within the Mets' clubhouse.A cubist interpretation of the hidden tensions and personal issues plaguing the New York Mets, whose on-field struggles have puzzled observers.NYC Today

According to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, there is a malaise in the New York Mets clubhouse, though the matter remains a mystery to those outside the team. He believes there are personal issues among some players, which is fairly common in a major league dressing room. Whatever the problem may be, it has severely affected the on-field performance of the Mets, who have made an extremely slow start to the season with worrying performances on a regular basis.

Why it matters

The Mets made seismic changes to their roster during the offseason after missing out on the playoffs last year, but despite their efforts, the team has struggled mightily in the early going. Rosenthal's comments suggest there may be deeper issues within the organization that are impacting the team's play on the field.

The details

Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor has made some shocking defensive lapses and is struggling at the plate, leading Rosenthal to assume there is a mysterious issue plaguing the star player. 'No one seems to have a good feel for what is going on here,' Rosenthal said. 'Whether it is missing spring training, whether it is a mental slump, if you can call it that. Or something is going on behind the scenes that we don't know about that is somehow affecting him.'

  • The Mets made seismic changes to their roster during the offseason after missing out on the playoffs last year.
  • The Mets have made an extremely slow start to the 2026 season with worrying performances on a regular basis.

The players

Ken Rosenthal

An MLB insider who believes there are personal issues among some Mets players that have severely affected the team's on-field performance.

Francisco Lindor

The Mets' shortstop who has made some shocking defensive lapses and is struggling at the plate, leading to speculation about a mysterious issue affecting his play.

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What they’re saying

“It's difficult to assess these guys sometimes. We don't always know what is going on behind the scenes. Like any of us, if you have that kind of issue personally or whatever, it might affect your job performance.”

— Ken Rosenthal, MLB Insider

“No one seems to have a good feel for what is going on here. Whether it is missing spring training, whether it is a mental slump, if you can call it that. Or something is going on behind the scenes that we don't know about that is somehow affecting him.”

— Ken Rosenthal, MLB Insider

The takeaway

This case highlights the complexities and challenges that professional sports teams can face, even when they make significant roster changes in the offseason. The Mets' struggles suggest there may be deeper, unresolved issues within the organization that are impacting the team's performance on the field.