Juan Soto‘s return to Petco Park, now wearing the New York Mets uniform, was met with great disapproval. Each plate appearance by the Dominican was met with a chorus of boos from the San Diego Padres faithful, in a clear reminder of a “million-dollar decision” from the past that, for many, has not yet been digested. The infielder had a quiet performance, going 0-6 in his two games before leaving the second game after hitting a foul ball.
This hostile reception explains how high expectations and millionaire investments in baseball can become a shadow for players. The San Diego fans, who at one time expected Soto’s leadership and talent to translate into team success, do not forget the price they paid for him and how his time on the West Coast, despite a 7.0 WAR in 214 games, did not live up to the promises.
A cold reception
The boos at Petco Park were no surprise to Soto. After the Mets’ loss, the player gave a blunt response to the fans, indicating that he already expected the reaction. This tone contrasts with his attitude last season, when he defended the colors of the New York Yankees and was also booed in San Diego.
On that occasion, Soto admitted: “It’s a little bit hard for me because (the fans) were there every day for me… I didn’t play to my best level, you know? And that’s one of the things I was a little bit sad about, because I couldn’t show them how great I can be.”
The consequences of a “millionaire” decision
The Padres’ frustration runs deep in the million-dollar investment they made in Soto. To acquire him and Josh Bell from the Washington Nationals after the 2022 season, San Diego’s front office sacrificed five of its top prospects. This massive move, in the hope of building a contending team around Soto, left a bitter taste of failure for the fans.
Beyond the reception from the fans, Juan Soto’s current situation with the Mets also faces its own challenges. During the game, in the fourth inning, the Dominican suffered a foot contusion after fouling off a 0-2 pitch. Although he completed his at-bat and the Mets confirmed that “there was no initial evaluation of bone fracture”, the injury forced him to leave the field and puts a question mark over his availability, so at the moment, luck has not been on the player’s side.
Read the full article here
