NY Mets News: Francisco Lindor-Juan Soto relationship, Kodai Senga role, manager rejection

While a storm rattled through the Northeast, the New York Mets played the Atlanta Braves like a roaring lamb. A 5-3 loss in a game that felt more out of reach than it should have set the tone for four against their hated NL East rival.

It wasn’t until the 8th inning when the Braves even had a hit that wasn’t a home run. Starter Christian Scott’s bigger issue was throwing strikes. He walked 4 while striking out 7 and lasted only 4 innings.

Three more to go before this series ends, the Mets are back in action for a late 8:08pm start on Saturday followed by an obnoxiously early 12:30pm first pitch on Sunday.

Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto aren’t giving us anything clear about their relationship

Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto had to answer for their crimes. Steve Cohen admitted earlier this week there was something to the rumors about the pair not getting along. As days went on and more was revealed, we learned Cohen was a mediator of sorts between the two.

The Athletic followed up with more on their relationship and the takeaway was that Soto doesn’t kiss on the first date. Huh?

“There were no issues last year — at all,” Soto told The Athletic on Friday. “We didn’t have any beef or anything. Definitely, our relationship is getting better because it takes time.

“When you meet a girl, you don’t start kissing her right away.”

It sounds like Lindor and Soto are avoiding the real issue which is fine.

“I just feel like our relationship has continued to grow over the years,” Lindor said. “We’ve been together for two years now. So there’s no reason to say why it didn’t get off on the right foot or anything. It’s just a relationship. A normal relationship.”

“We’re friendly, but we don’t like each other” could be what they’re saying. Politics, religion, or some other divisive topic perhaps at the crux of this story, the Mets duo and owner have been trying to squash it while not admitting what started the problem in the first place. Likely it’s something huge or so petty they’d be ashamed to admit how childish they could behave.

Is there any good way to use Kodai Senga?

Kodai Senga made another relief appearance for the Mets and things went okay over his 2.2 innings. He did allow a home run in his third inning of work and another single. Senga spoke after the game and as the case usually is through a translator, we didn’t really get a good assessment of the situation.

Entering a game where the Mets trail 4-2 in the sixth inning feels like a good middle ground as to when Senga should pitch. Those aren’t empty innings. It rested other members of the bullpen. If they were at home and he was pitching a little better toward the end, he could have given them 4.

This situation isn’t all that different from when the Mets had Sean Manaea in the bullpen earlier. How do you use an underperforming starter in bulk relief? Is he a mop-up guy or a high-leverage bridge to the end? Both times he has pitched in relief, the third inning on the mound has included a home run to a left-handed NL East slugger (Kyle Schwarber and now Matt Olson). A very strict standard is getting set where beyond 2 innings, you should prepare for chaos.

J.D. Martinez wants nothing to do with replacing Andy Green

J.D. Martinez won’t be elevated to the Mets manager next season. It’s not because the Mets don’t like him. He refuses to take the job.

It was fascinating for Martinez to come back and join the Mets in any capacity. Only one season with the team, he didn’t feel as connected as many other ex-players. This was his last professional organization, though. And surely, in his current advisor role, he’s getting paid well enough to hang around and offer some advice.

Along with his desire for “freedom” of a work-life balance, Martinez knows what he’s good at.

"Managing is tough. You have to know how to maneuver pieces, how to handle pitching staffs, all that. I pride myself on the offensive side of things."

Freshly retired players who made over $150 million in their careers tend to want some family time before taking on any kind of job like this. For Martinez, it sounds like his focus is on offense. At most, maybe a future hitting coach gig is in his future. Even that, with a daughter born in September 2024, could be a few years away from happening.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow