The Mets do not need any alleged feud between their biggest stars, Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor. At least not right now, given they have lost eight of their last 10 games. While the chemistry between the two has often been perceived as shaky, Soto went on record last year to say he gets “along very well with Lindor.” As their alleged friction once again makes headlines this season, Soto has chosen an unusual way to describe their time together.

“When you meet a girl, you don’t start kissing her right away,” Soto said about his relationship with Lindor last season, via The Athletic’s Will Sammon.

Following the Mets’ disappointing run last year, there was a reported clash between Soto and Lindor. It supposedly bled early into this year as well. According to The Athletic, the clash left other younger Mets players wondering who to follow for leadership.

Despite not having a formal designation, Francisco Lindor emerged as the unannounced Mets captain. However, Soto’s skills make him equally important.

With Juan Soto holding a 15-year, $765 million contract, he will be with the Mets for a long time. Lindor also has five more years left on his 10-year, $341 million deal. Hence, it is kind of crucial for them to get along.

Soto has been with the Mets for two years now. Amid injury setbacks, Lindor and Soto have only played 15 games together this season. During Spring Training, too, they did not get much time to build a relationship, as Lindor was out with a broken hamate bone and Soto was away representing the Dominican Republic in the WBC.

However, they have been interacting more recently, which is indicative of a positive development.

While reports of their alleged feud have come to the limelight, Soto has completely denied any such possibility.

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

Lindor has also wholeheartedly agreed that time is the best catalyst for their growing relationship. He also called Soto his “brother.”

“I just feel like our relationship has continued to grow over the years,” Lindor observed, per The Athletic. “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.”

While both Mets stars never owned up to a strained bond or clubhouse friction, owner Steve Cohen is the only team official to publicly acknowledge it.

Steve Cohen on Juan Soto-Francisco Lindor alleged feud

The New York Mets need both Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto at the top of their form. Dealing with injuries, Lindor has struggled at the plate, hitting .215 with 4 homers this year. At shortstop, mental mistakes have also troubled the veteran Mets player. But he knows how to come back.

Juan Soto, on the other hand, has been one of the brightest spots in an otherwise lackluster Mets lineup. He is hitting .297 with an impressive .971 OPS and has already driven in 18 home runs this season. If the Mets want to salvage the season, Lindor and Soto are among the key pieces. The Mets’ owner, Steve Cohen, has also said that they are sticking with the team and that no clubhouse friction from last year will affect them.

“I don’t see them going anywhere,” Cohen told Joel Sherman. “I think that was last year’s story. And I’m told and believe strongly that these guys are getting well, much better. And so, I just don’t see that as an issue anymore.”

If the Mets’ principal owner, Steve Cohen, says both are staying with the team, perhaps that’s the case. They aren’t going anywhere for now.