Juan Soto has been in the eye of the storm throughout the Major League Baseball season. After signing a $765 million contract with the New York Mets, he has had all eyes on him, both from fans and specialists, who have been watching his every move or gesture.
Soto’s response, in truth, has not been negative. Although it took him a while to get going and perform at his usual level (between March and April he hit just three home runs with 12 RBIs in 31 games), the Dominican outfielder has gone on to lead the Mets in home runs (35), walks (111), stolen bases (26), runs scored (102) and OPS (.900), as well as being second in RBIs (84) and third in extra-base hits (51).
This performance has been crucial for the Queens franchise, which in the midst of an erratic campaign has managed to stay in playoff positions. If the postseason were to begin today, for example, the Mets would be guaranteed the last Wild Card spot and would face the Dodgers in a rematch of the 2024 National League Championship Series.
Management assessment
Many fans have criticized Soto for his first season with the Mets, but from the franchise’s management there is a feeling of contentment with their star’s performance. “He’s had a very good year, I don’t know what else to say,” said David Stearns, the organization’s president of baseball operations.
In a conversation with the New York Post, the executive praised Soto’s willingness to improve in every possible area. “He might even steal 30 bases this year. There’s a great opportunity for him to finish the year as a 30-30 player, who knows if a 40-30 player,” Stearns said.
There is a great opportunity that he will end the year being a 30-30 player, who knows if a 40-30 player
Steve Cohen’s right-hand man said he was pleasantly surprised by what the Dominican has contributed: “Certainly, it’s not what I expected when we signed him, but it seems that he focuses on elements of his game that in his mind are not up to his standards and improves them.”.
Stearns also set a point of comparison with Soto’s beginnings with the Yankees: “He probably got off to a slightly slower start than everyone was anticipating, certainly a slower start than he had on the other side of the city last year and maybe a little bit of that is still in people’s heads and that’s clouding the perception of this year as a whole, but this has been a very, very good year, an elite year,” he concluded.
This has been a very, very good year, an elite year.
Stearns’ words are a balm for Soto, who at times has been the target of fierce criticism from fans and the press. While there is still room for improvement, for now his season has a clear pass.
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