Former New York Mets manager Buck Showalter has downplayed concerns over a reported rift between veteran players Francisco Lindor and Jeff McNeil.The New York Post's Mike Puma reported last week that the two players had a major confrontation after a loss against the Philadelphia Phillies on June 20. This isn't the first time the two have been reported to have an altercation. Things got physical during a game in 2021, when Lindor shoved McNeil by his throat while walking back to the clubhouse.Showalter, who took on the team's managerial position in 2022, discussed the matter in an interview with Foul Territory TV on Thursday."Jeff and Francisco are different," Showalter said. "Jeff’s a Long Beach State Dirtbag, loves everything about the game, thinks the world is against him sometimes with line drives at people."Lindor is a very stylish, worldly guy, but it works. I called them together the first day that I got there, and I had heard a lot of stuff, and we didn’t have a problem... I think if you actually knew everything that went on behind the scenes with relationships when you're thrown together for eight months, seven months."Lindor is currently signed to a 10-year, $341 million contract. Trade talks surrounded McNeil as the offseason began, but they have since died down a bit following the Mets' deal with the Texas Rangers to send Brandon Nimmo in a one-for-one exchange for Marcus Semien.Buck Showalter questions Rangers' decision to trade Marcus SemienThe Rangers' decision to trade 2023 World Series winner Marcus Semien came as a surprise to some. The team got Brandon Nimmo in his place, with the Mets prioritizing Semien's infield defense in the deal. But Showalter said he wasn't entirely convinced of the Rangers' decision to give up a marquee player."If I were putting that trade together, I would ask the GM why they'd trade the captain of the team, is this there something else going on here? I don't know that's just my suspicion," Showalter said.Foul Territory @FoulTerritoryTVLINK"If I were putting that trade together, I would ask the GM why they'd trade the captain of the team." Buck Showalter questions whether there's something else going on regarding the Rangers trading Marcus Semien...The Mets will look to become competitive again in 2026 after missing the playoffs this past season.