After weeks of questions about Juan Soto’s performance with the Mets, one of the most respected voices in baseball came to the defense of his compatriot. David Ortiz, a Dominican legend and Hall of Famer, strongly defended the 26-year-old outfielder in a recent interview, making it clear that excessive expectations do not help the development of any player, no matter how talented they are.
“Soto didn’t come to be Barry Bonds. He was paid to be Juan Soto: hit 30 home runs, drive in 90 or 100 runs, hit .280 and have a good OBP. That’s what he does,” Ortiz said on the radio show El Mañanero. The Red Sox star was blunt in stating that much of the criticism arises more from comparison than from the real context of the young player’s performance.
Expectations do not always understand the process
Soto arrived at the Mets with a monumental contract and a backpack full of demands. In just 54 games this season, his offensive line (.228/.355/.756) has been met with distrust by the New York faithful, despite his eight home runs and 25 runs batted in. For many, his impact has not lived up to the contract; for Ortiz, quite the opposite.
“The problem is that people, when they see him stand at the plate, are expecting him to do what Barry Bonds did… and he was never Barry Bonds,” Ortiz emphasized. The difference is not a criticism, but a precision: “Soto reached free agency at the perfect time and with the perfect agent. It’s not luck, it’s strategy and performance,” added Big Papi, stressing that the season is still young.
Ortiz, experience and authority in defence of one of his own
If anyone knows what it means to play under the spotlight, it’s David Ortiz. His career, marked by clutch hits and titles, gives him the authority to talk about processes and maturity in the game. That’s why his defense of Soto goes beyond camaraderie: it’s a call for patience.
“We’re not talking about the best player in the world, nor the most complete. We’re talking about a very good player who, when the year is over, will have his numbers there as always,” he said. The key, according to Ortiz, is not to overreact to a bad month. “The season is long and he will respond, as he always has,” he said.
At just 26 years of age, Juan Soto has already made his mark on three franchises, won a World Series and boasts elite averages. Although his start in New York has not been brilliant, his career invites calm. In a city accustomed to demanding from day one, having the support of leaders like Ortiz can be key to staying focused.
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