They say money can’t buy happiness—or hustle, apparently. In a season where expectations were sky high and patience paper-thin, the New York Mets find themselves holding a $765 million magnifying glass over one man. The Bronx once called him a star. Queens is still searching for the receipt. And now, with the noise growing louder, Juan Soto finally got a blunt dose of reality from his own manager.
Juan Soto has been finding it really difficult to get going with the New York Mets, and this is a problem for many people. They wanted him to fire on all cylinders as soon as he made the transition from the Yankees, but that has not been the case. Some say he needs time, but some say he needs to step up. None of those opinions matter because manager Carlos Mendoza knows exactly what is going on.
During a recent interview with the Foul Territory, Carlos Mendoza was asked about Soto and him regaining his mojo. Mendoza said, “We started to see some results because I feel like he’s been well, I mean, the numbers not gonna lie, but the guy has been so unlucky, you know.” And he is getting back into the groove because against the Dodgers, we saw the Soto shuffle in full force.
Juan Soto might be cashing historic checks, but his energy isn’t matching the decimal points. Reports suggest he’s glum in the Mets’ clubhouse, missing that swagger that once made him electric. His recent trip to Yankee Stadium, a place he once dreamed of, only amplified the contrast. The shuffle is gone, the smile is rare, and the pressure is quietly crushing.
Through 62 games, Soto is slashing .254/.363/.411—well below his career norms. His OPS has dipped to .774, a shadow of the .941 mark he posted last season. For $765 million, the Mets expected a thunderstorm, not scattered singles. His timing is off, and so is the tone in Queens.
When Juan Soto is right, he changes the DNA of a lineup. He’s the gear that revs the Mets’ monster engine. Without him, New York’s offense feels like it’s stuck in second gear. Getting the 26-year-old right isn’t a luxury—it’s survival.
The Mets didn’t pay $765 million for vibes—they paid for victories, swagger, and scoreboard damage. Right now, they’ve got a moody superstar and a lineup stuck in neutral. Soto’s smile might be missing, but the stakes aren’t. If he finds his rhythm, the Mets become dangerous overnight. If not, Queens might start checking the return policy—if only it applied to generational talents.
Juan Soto is not firing?
The New York Mets didn’t just buy a superstar—they bought a spectacle, a $765 million marvel named Juan Soto. But nearly a third into the season, all they’ve gotten is a lesson in buyer’s remorse. The bat flips are missing, the fireworks are muted, and the Citi Field faithful are growing restless. So what’s going on with the slugger who was supposed to save Queens? Let’s break it down.
Juan Soto didn’t just sign a contract—he inherited a spotlight with no off switch. The $765 million price tag demands instant greatness, not growing pains. In New York, underperformance isn’t just noticed—it’s dissected. Every misstep, like not running out a double, becomes front-page fodder and fuels pressure that tightens the swing.
One of Soto’s biggest technical issues this year is his ground ball tendency. His sweet-spot rate has dropped nearly five percentage points. That means fewer line drives and more balls dying in the dirt. Compared to 2024’s 43.6% ground ball rate, 2025 has him regressing toward his career-high norms.
Pitchers have sensed his passiveness and are pounding the zone early. Soto’s in-zone swing rate is down to 54% in May, from 62% across previous years. That’s nearly one hittable pitch taken per game, and pitchers are feasting. When a hitter like Soto gives away strikes, even his eye can’t save him.
Soto isn’t washed, but right now, he’s more sizzle than steak. The talent hasn’t vanished—it’s just buried under grounders, caution, and the weight of $765 million expectations. He’s not broken, but he’s definitely out of tune. And in New York, patience is like a fastball down the middle—miss it, and the crowd lets you know. If Soto wants to run this town, it’s time he starts running out doubles.
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