A massive fifteen-year, $765 million contract—one that many may have dreamt of. But not for New York Mets superstar Juan Soto, who was expected to be breaking records. Unfortunately, it turned out to be quite the opposite, and now his early-season struggles have become the main talking point. Whether it’s the huge expectations putting pressure on Soto or just his casual approach, his recent slump has not only sparked debates but also placed him under intense scrutiny. Now that his struggles have caught the attention of many, an MLB legend has identified a major reason behind his drastic change in performance. And he, very much, would like to speak to Soto.
Fan favorite, Dwight Gooden, a former Yankees and Mets star, has been paying attention, especially on the Mets lately. And as he saw the team’s knight in shining armour struggling on the diamond, he couldn’t help but notice a pattern. Let’s talk about those struggling stats a little: Soto has managed to post only eight home runs with an average of .236, 21 RBIs, and a .787 OPS. Though the numbers are decent, is it justified for the highest player in MLB history? Um.. not so much.
In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Dwight Gooden said, “He set the bar so high his first six years, when expectation is going to be there, and then you throw in the contract he just signed, everybody’s expecting everything. Unfortunately, every little thing that happens now, they point at him with a lot of stuff.” Quite expected, right? After all, there’s a reason why the Mets agreed to those whopping $765 million.
“He earned that,” Gooden acknowledged, referring to Soto’s massive payday. “It just takes time sometimes, because we forget he’s 26 years old, and you know, he’s never been through this before.” For Gooden, the answer isn’t about overhauling Soto’s mechanics or questioning his talent. Instead, it’s about returning to the fundamentals—not just of baseball, but of self-belief. “He just needs somebody in his ear to let him know it’s gonna be okay,” the legend added.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Gooden is following Soto. In fact, he has been a fan of Soto since he left the Washington Nationals. And who wouldn’t be? Soto’s career numbers speak volumes—209 home runs, 613 RBIs, a .282 batting average, a .418 OBP, and a .944 OPS. Perhaps, all he needs is self-belief, as playing in the Mets offers many advantages, but also disadvantages. Remember Bobby Bonilla? He played with Gooden and had a very difficult time adjusting after coming to New York from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
While Gooden believes it’s only a matter of time before Soto returns to form, he also suggested helping him make a comeback this season.
MLB legend’s advice to Juan Soto may well get him back into the groove
Playing in New York requires immense mental strength. The expectations of fans and media can be quite tricky and can take a massive toll on one’s performance. However, Gooden is optimistic that Soto can turn things around.
Praising Soto, Gooden said, “I think he’s going to be okay. I mean, a lot of guys come there; it’s a different atmosphere than what you have, and they go through different things. But I still feel with his talent and he’s so young, he’s going to be all right at the end of the day.” Though the immense pressure certainly can take a toll on you, that can’t be the only reason—guess what?
When Soto was playing for the Yankees, he batted at a .288 average, posting 41 home runs, 109 RBIs, and also 128 runs scored across the 157 games. But there, he had great support from Captain Aaron Judge and other players at that time, which hasn’t been the exact case with the Mets. Although there’s no denying that Soto has always had the support of manager Carlos Mendoza, who is hopeful that he can turn things around. “He’s 26, man. He’s going to be fine,” Mendoza told the reporters recently.
Soto is not just adjusting to a new ballpark and fan base, he’s also grappling with a slump at the plate, posting numbers well below his career averages. As the season progresses, the real question isn’t whether Soto is hustling on every play; it’s whether he, and the Mets as a whole, can weather the scrutiny and find their rhythm together.
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