NY Mets rookie casually dispels one of Juan Soto's biggest critiques

Narratives are a huge part of professional sports. When a narrative is developed and glued to a team or player, it's often as sticky as pine tar. It doesn't just go away. This has been the case for Juan Soto since joining the New York Mets last offseason.

Whether it's scorned Yankees fans, cynical Mets fans, or a media fatigued by his extensive free agent negotiation, everyone had something to say about Juan Soto last season. And since his performance on the field, despite a tough stretch to open last season, is completely unimpeachable, the negative ire is focused on Soto away from the diamond.

He doesn't want to be here. He wishes he stayed in the Bronx. Now that he got his money, he's complacent. He doesn't like his teammates. He doesn't love baseball. He's not a true team leader.

Those were all real things people said last year. And in many circles, that thought process has maintained. But one of the newest and youngest faces at Mets' camp put all of that talk to bed in one fell swoop.

The New York Mets have a leader in their best player

A bunch of Mets, from coaches to players, sat down with the folks at the Foul Territory podcast on Wednesday. As you can imagine, plenty was discussed. But something in particular that caught my eye was what Carson Benge had to say about clubhouse leadership.

When asked about meeting some of the veteran superstars he now calls teammates, he made it abundantly clear that he's receiving proper guidance from them. But the first name he mentioned is what I'm focused on.

"I think as time went on, it's feeling more and more normal. I'm getting more and more comfortable. Soto, he's been... all the guys have been great. They've all taken me under their (wing), and just let me know right and wrong. What to do, what not to do. And I'm really blessed to have that."

Carson Benge- OF, NY Mets

This is a sound for sore ears for those of us who have been hoping that Juan Soto would take another step in leadership this season. I never thought he was a negative in the clubhouse, but I also never knew for sure if he viewed this as his team to impose his will on.

It sounds like, at least early on, this year, he is doing that. I'm sure the exit of Pete Alonso helps, as Soto no longer has a beloved career Met who many view as the heart and soul of the club to contend with. By Benge's account, Soto is setting the standard early for the new prospects while also being there as a mentor.

His on field production is... good. To say the least. In 2025, he led the majors in walks, and the led the National League in on base percentage, and somehow stolen bases. He held an OPS+ of 160, a .262 ISO, a .525 slugging percentage, and drove in 105 runs. And despite playing in a brand new pitcher friendly ball park, he cracked 43 long balls, a career high.

Finishing 3rd in NL MVP voting, 2025 was just another reminder of his talent. But given he's locked into millions upon millions of dollars for well over another decade, he has to make this clubhouse and franchise his own.

He needs to mold its identity to meet his. He needs the organization to move in lock-step with his intense poise and unflappable fire. He needs to not only do this, but also feel comfortable doing it. None of us know what's going on behind closed doors, but from the outside looking in, it felt like maybe he was tentative to make such an aggressive mark in year one.

Carson Benge is likely to spend a ton of time next to Soto in the outfield. If he's already raving about Soto's leadership, it wouldn't be a surprise if their relationship grows from here. This would represent a welcome development for Soto and could provide Benge a career-altering mentor.

The Mets aren't a "win now" team. They are a "win right now" team. With Jonah Tong, Nolan McLean, and Carson Benge all set to play serious innings, they need all the veteran guidance they can get. And to hear Benge say that Juan Soto has already been that guy for him should be music to Mets fans' ears.