A $765 million contract. The amount is astonishing, demonstrating brilliance and force. But for Juan Soto, the deal that broke the record came with an even larger, incomprehensible cost: expectations that went beyond just money and became a huge burden that was perhaps more than he ever thought it would be. Has he handled it well? His performance in the last two series shows trouble. The constant criticism has been overwhelming, but the Mets manager understands why.
First, it was the Subway Series performance; everyone thought it might be the pressure, and indeed there was, with all the booing. But the story took a sharper turn during a recent series against the Red Sox. Soto hit a ball off Fenway’s Green Monster at a key moment, but he stayed at the plate because he thought it was a home run. The mistake led to only one hit, upsetting fans and the media. These things have made others wonder about his dedication to the Mets and how well he fits in with their culture.
However, Juan Soto’s performance is still good when you look at the numbers. As of late May, he has an OPS of .788, eight home runs, and 21 RBIs in 50 games. Moreover, he is batting .238. These numbers are good, but they don’t meet his career averages or the high standards established by his massive contract. This is precisely what Carlos Mendoza focused on when talking about his performance. On Friday, he said, “What’s new is the contract — that’s the biggest difference here.” “Everybody knows the type of money and all that went on in the offseason. And honestly, for me, I feel like the frustration is that he’s not coming through for the team, especially with runners in scoring position.”
And Mendoza is not alone in thinking like that. The hitting coach Jeremy Barnes’ message was also loud and precise, singing the same as what Mendoza said. Barnes said, “Don’t get outside yourself, don’t take in all the noise, just keep doing what you’re doing and keep hitting the ball hard. Take your walks and hit the ball hard.” If numbers are okay then what’s is going wrong?
What a puzzle this is. Soto’s bat has been mostly quiet this season, hitting just .125 with runners in scoring position. This season, when the bases are full or ducks are on the pond, his bat has been mostly quiet. If you know much about baseball, this is a significant change from his strong .287 career average in those high-pressure circumstances. It’s like a world-class chef suddenly burning every meal while the critics watch. Everyone knows the crazy numbers that were raised throughout the offseason.
There have been critics from almost every corner. A few days back, Chris Russo commented on his contract, “would play on the moon if it was $5 more.” The unfiltered reactions are catching on all over the Mets. On the contrary, many are aware of it, and they know he will bounce back. Who are those people? Well, the list includes both his teammates and, surprisingly, a Yankee legend.
Juan Soto’s slow start: A familiar tale of adjustment
There has been a lot of talk about Juan Soto’s first game with the Mets, but everyone is being patient and supportive within the clubhouse.
Francisco Lindor knows how hard it can be to adjust to a new team and city because he had to do it himself when he joined the Mets in 2021. Lindor said about Soto’s situation, “In the grand scheme of things, people have tendencies to look at a long-term contract in a one-year span. But it’s a long-term contract. It’s going to play out. He’s going to be one of the greatest Mets to play in this organization. To play 15 years here, he’s going to throw up some crazy numbers.”
Lindor’s perspective comes from his own life. After signing a big deal, he was under a lot of pressure during his rookie season, but he finally got the hang of things and became a key player for the Mets. He thinks Soto will also adapt and do well because he works hard and is talented. And his performance slump has not gone unnoticed.
Former Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia said, “I feel like the stars that go to the Mets, it takes them like a year to kinda settle in. So, I think Soto could be the same thing.” Sabathia’s comment shows a trend that even the best players need time to get used to the peculiar atmosphere of New York baseball.
Fans and the media may be focused on short-term results, but the Mets seem dedicated to helping Soto through this change because they know his long-term contributions will be significant. The Queen believes that as the season goes on, Juan Soto will live up to the great expectations established for him.
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