Two Juan Soto truths NY Mets fans on both sides of the battle line need to hear

Juan Soto has become the focal point of the New York Mets which doesn’t come as much of a surprise given his contract, his presence, and the expectations. It all boiled over on the weekend against the New York Yankees when the story was less about what he was doing for the Mets and more about what he left in the Bronx.

It’s funny because the Mets, until recently, were playing really good baseball and in first place. They’ve underperformed lately with Soto representing some of their biggest struggles. Notably, a lack of power and ability to hit with runners in scoring position is what has held the Mets back.

Sensible Mets fans understand the MLB season is a long way. Overly optimistic ones also fail to realize we’re less than a week away from Memorial Day, a de facto check point of every MLB season. Whichever side of the battle line you’re standing on, there are two truths we all need to admit.

Juan Soto isn’t as far behind as it seems

Statistically, Soto isn’t meeting expectations. However, he’s not at the point where salvation is impossible. One hot week is all it would take. The period in his career that this has closely reflected is his first 52 games with the San Diego Padres in 2022. He slashed .236/.388/.490 with 8 doubles and 6 home runs. For the Mets in 48 games and 14 few plate appearances, he’s slashing .247/.379/.437 with 9 doubles and 8 home runs.

Things like hard-hit percentages are moot. It’s like being the tallest kid in high school and you aren’t on the basketball team. Nobody cares.

Rolling over on way too many balls that turn into double plays negates the times when he gets robbed of a hit—which there have been plenty of examples. He leads the league with 9 double plays grounded into. He had 10 all of last season.

Making memorable outs, including the final one on Opening Day, is what has made the perception of Soto’s first year with the Mets worse. The lack of clutch hitting and not a singular swing one can cite as his “welcome to Queens” moment has him feeling a lot worse than it actually is.

Juan Soto needs to show more react differently to the muck he stepped in

Production on the field solves everything. Until those consistent at-bats arrive, Soto has to react differently to the situation he’s in. This means hustling every opportunity he gets. Postgame, he needs to sound more accountable.

Fans are impatient. It’s our right. Denying the obvious isn’t going to win anyone over. Known for his swagger at the plate, something we haven’t seen much of this year, perhaps it’s a problem with his inability to be disingenuous. We appreciate honesty, but when that honesty seems defensive, it’s a bitter pill to swallow.

The entire team has decided to take time off from hating with authority. Their last home run was on Tuesday the 13th when Brett Baty hit a game winner in a 2-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Soto’s last extra-base hit was days earlier on May 9th when he hit one against the Chicago Cubs in the opener of their series. He has 5 singles ever since.

Soto’s body language has been studied by everyone from casual fans to FBI profilers. The perception that he is disengaged is too easy of a conclusion to come to. For a guy who frustratingly had an arrogance while playing against the Mets for so many years, it’s unusual to see him behave so robotically in a Mets uniform.

Show frustration. Take accountability. Most of all, be the superstar pain you were to us against everyone else.