How Freddy Peralta thawed icy Juan Soto-Francisco Lindor relationship before Rays trade

Veteran pitcher Freddy Peralta’s impact on the New York Mets may extend beyond his time on the mound.

Before the Mets traded Peralta to the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, the right-hander helped facilitate a conversation between franchise cornerstones Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor after tension between the teammates lingered into their second season together.

According to Jorge Castillo of ESPN, Peralta arranged a meeting in June for Soto and Lindor to clear the air. Multiple sources told the outlet the players were able to openly discuss their differences, and their relationship has since improved.

“It was as men, not baseball players,” a source told ESPN of the meeting.

Peralta confirmed the conversation took place but declined to discuss its contents. Lindor also acknowledged the meeting while minimizing its significance.

“It was more of a conversation like we always have with our group of Latinos,” Lindor said in Spanish. “But I don’t want to comment on the details.”

Soto initially denied that a formal meeting occurred before agreeing that his relationship with Lindor has gotten better this season.

“There was no meeting, no discussion,” Soto said in Spanish. “This year has been better. We’ve gotten along very well. We’ve learned from each other.”

Speculation about Soto and Lindor’s relationship has followed the club since Soto signed a 15-year, $765 million contract before the 2024 season. Questions resurfaced earlier this year after Soto’s locker was moved away from Lindor’s and a seemingly frosty interaction during Opening Day introductions circulated on social media.

On July 1, Mets owner Steve Cohen acknowledged that the relationship had previously been an issue but said it had improved.

“I don’t see them going anywhere,” Cohen said on The New York Post’s podcast. “And, frankly, I think that’s a story that was last year’s story and that actually I am told — and believe strongly — that these guys are getting along much better. And so I just don’t see it as an issue anymore.”

Peralta’s tenure in New York ended after just one season as the Mets reshaped their roster before the trade deadline. Acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers during the offseason, the 30-year-old endured the toughest full season of his career, posting career worsts in ERA, WHIP and strikeout rate before becoming one of eight veterans moved ahead of the deadline.

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