Two Things Are True About Juan Soto’s Start with the Mets After 20 Games
Juan Soto’s transition to the New York Mets has been under intense scrutiny. Leaving the Yankees for the crosstown rival was already major news, and the added weight of his $765 million contract has only intensified the spotlight. It took just 18 games before some fans began to voice their frustration, with boos heard after a three-strikeout performance last Thursday. Whether those reactions came from actual Mets fans or disgruntled Yankees supporters is unclear, but Soto is definitely under a microscope.
After 20 games, two things can be said about his performance:
1. Soto Hasn’t Been Terrible
Despite some underwhelming moments, Soto’s numbers suggest things could be worse. He recently broke out of a minor slump with an RBI single, ending a frustrating stretch at Citi Field. Like many Mets hitters, he’s struggled with runners in scoring position.
Soto is currently batting .225 with a .368 on-base percentage and a .408 slugging percentage. While the batting average is unimpressive, his overall .776 OPS ranks second on the team behind Pete Alonso. He also leads the team in runs scored with 14, showing he’s still contributing offensively. Though his home run total is low, he’s drawing plenty of walks and finding ways to make an impact.
Critics can twist his numbers to either exaggerate the struggles or understate them, but objectively, his performance hasn’t been disastrous.
2. This Isn’t What the Mets Paid For
It’s fair to ask whether this level of production is what Mets owner Steve Cohen expected after committing $765 million to Soto. Publicly, Cohen has remained calm and supportive. He’s avoided the negative tweets that characterized earlier seasons and seems to understand the long game. After all, Soto has years ahead in a Mets uniform.
Still, the expectations surrounding that record-breaking contract are immense. No player can realistically meet that kind of value year after year. Soto might never win an MVP or lead the Mets to the playoffs every season, but that’s not uncommon with massive contracts.
So, both things are true: Juan Soto’s start with the Mets could be significantly worse, and at the same time, it hasn’t lived up to the enormous price tag—an outcome that, frankly, may be impossible to fully deliver on.
