Mike Francesa says Trump politics split Mets stars Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Longtime New York sports radio voice Mike Francesa says politics, specifically views on President Donald Trump, played a role in dividing the New York Mets clubhouse. The claim surfaced Tuesday as Francesa discussed an alleged rift between former teammates Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo.

Speaking on his podcast, Francesa suggested that political differences, not baseball, ignited tension between the Mets shortstop and outfielder, who was recently traded to the Texas Rangers.

Francesa points to Trump as source of clubhouse rift

According to Francesa, the disagreement between Lindor and Nimmo stemmed from opposing views on Trump, though he did not specify which player supported the president and which did not.

“The Nimmo-Lindor thing, my understanding, was political, had to do with Trump,” Francesa said. “One side liked Trump, one side didn’t like Trump.

Francesa went on to suggest that the disagreement lingered and affected their relationship as teammates.

“So, Trump splitting up between Nimmo and Lindor,” he added. “That’s my understanding. It started over Trump… As crazy as that sounds, crazier things have happened.”

The comments immediately sparked debate among Mets fans, many of whom had long speculated about tension within the clubhouse but never tied it explicitly to politics.

Brandon Nimmo trade adds fuel to speculation

Nimmo was traded to the Texas Rangers on November 23 after waiving the no-trade clause in his eight-year, $162 million contract earlier in the month. His departure marked a major shift for the Mets, both on the field and in the locker room.

The outfielder, now 32, was coming off a strong season in which he hit a career-high 25 home runs. In return, the Rangers sent second baseman Marcus Semien to New York. Semien, 35, hit 15 home runs during the 2025 season.

While the Mets framed the move as a baseball decision, Francesa’s comments added a new layer to the conversation, suggesting internal dynamics may have played a role.

Nimmo’s exit has been just one piece of a chaotic offseason for the Mets. The team has also seen the departures of first baseman Pete Alonso and closer Edwin Diaz, both longtime fan favorites.

All three players — Nimmo, Alonso and Diaz — were central figures in the Mets’ recent success. They helped anchor playoff runs in 2022 and 2024 and had been part of the team’s core dating back to the 2020 season.

Their exits have raised questions about the direction of the franchise and whether the Mets are entering a full-scale reset after falling short of championship expectations.

Politics increasingly visible in sports spaces

Francesa’s remarks reflect a broader reality that politics has increasingly seeped into professional sports, from player activism to locker room dynamics. While athletes often avoid discussing political beliefs publicly, disagreements behind the scenes are not unheard of.

What makes Francesa’s claim notable is its specificity, tying a reported feud between two star players directly to Trump, and the fact that it comes from a longtime insider who has covered New York sports for decades.

Still, neither Lindor nor Nimmo has publicly addressed the allegation, and the Mets organization has not commented on Francesa’s claims.

Mets look ahead as free agency unfolds

As the Mets navigate roster changes, the broader MLB offseason continues to move quickly. 

Many top free agents have already signed, but several high-profile names remain available, including Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger, Bo Bichette and Framber Valdez.