This time last year, when Juan Soto stepped into the batter’s box, the arena was electrified. Pitchers hesitated, and fans held their breath. He was, indisputably, one of baseball’s most exciting forces. And his plate discipline commanded respect. But fast forward to this season, and a different narrative seems to be taking shape.
With Soto’s current form with the Mets, whispers are growing louder. Is he truly performing at the level we expect, or is he merely a shadow of his prime? The stats are not on his side, which further amplifies the situation. 8 HRs and .243 BA are not the numbers we expect from a $765 million player.
So, is it just that Soto is not over with the Yankees? Or is he just struggling to find his place in a clubhouse filled with towering expectations? Well, whatever be the case, Soto’s 2025 season is becoming less about the numbers and more about the narrative. And the narrative, right now, is filled with uncertainty.
Now, the Yankees play-by-play announcer, Michael Kay, has come up with his own view of the situation. “He’s gotta get over it,” Kay said on his ESPN New York radio show, while talking about Soto.
So yes, it’s time. Time for Juan Soto to look beyond the Yankees. That chapter, however thrilling it might be, is closed now. He’s no longer a hitter behind Aaron Judge in the Bronx, but a cornerstone in the Mets. The pinstripes are a thing of the past now. No one can chase ghosts and lead a team at the same time. But why does it feel like Soto is not comfortable with the Mets?
Well, just check out the game against the Red Sox on Tuesday. Soto was dropped from second to third in the Mets’ batting order on Wednesday. A move that manager Carlos Mendoza endorsed. But things didn’t sit well with the slugger. Soto’s first at-bat in the new spot quickly drew attention. Facing Red Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet, he appeared tense, watching pitch after pitch without offering a swing. Ultimately, Soto went down on strikes without lifting the bat, a passive plate appearance that had fans talking.
So, all might not be well. But as Kay said, Soto should try and get over his past because that’s what will help him settle in.
The Mets are yet to see a Soto show
Just a week ago, the Mets looked like a team finally finding its rhythm. After a sluggish start to the season, they had rattled off a string of impressive wins, climbing back to .500 and injecting some much-needed belief into a clubhouse that had weathered early doubts. The pitching had stabilized, the lineup was clicking, and manager Carlos Mendoza appeared to have settled into a groove. So, it was going fine.
Then came the Subway Series.
The high-profile showdown with the Yankees was supposed to be a Juan Soto show. Instead, it marked the beginning of a downturn that has quickly escalated into something more concerning. The Mets dropped both games to their crosstown rivals.
Now, following another defeat against the Red Sox on Wednesday, the Mets have dropped three straight and find themselves teetering once again.
The team has now dropped to the second place in the NL East with a 32-20 record. And hereon, it will be a test of resolve. For the Mets, the challenge now is clear. Make the woods talk and hope to get back Soto at his prime.
The fans can just hope that Juan Soto comes out of his Bronx days and becomes the poster boy in Queens.
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