Juan Soto has found another way to help the NY Mets win games

Juan Soto’s reputation has always revolved around his impact at the plate and that shuffle after he lays off your best pitch. When the New York Mets landed him this offseason, no one was combing through the fine print for defensive upside. But 25 games into the season, it’s been less “liability” and more “you know, that’ll work.” And for a guy who can carry a lineup, “that’ll work” in the field is more than acceptable—it’s a bonus. Watching him patrol right field this season feels like unlocking a hidden skill tree in a video game you thought you’d already mastered. It's no new weapon, just a sneaky attribute upgrade. And on Wednesday afternoon against the rival Philadelphia Phillies, we discovered that an upgrade was applied to his arm.

When you sign the kind of deal Juan Soto did this offseason, the scrutiny is baked in. Every stat, every play, fair or not, gets held up under the microscope by fans eager to justify the price tag. And while no one’s ever mistaken Soto for a defensive wizard, he’s not throwing away games for the Mets either. His first eight seasons in the majors told us what to expect with the glove, but so far in 2025, he hasn’t been a liability. He’s handled what’s come his way and kept things on track.

Take a look at one of the go-to metrics for outfield defense, Outs Above Average, and Soto’s right in the mix. He sits at -1, tied with names like Lawrence Butler, Adolis García, and Nick Castellanos. Not elite company, but not disastrous either. And here’s the twist: he’s ahead of Mike Trout, Kyle Tucker, and George Springer. With his bat still working its way into gear, the conversation around Soto hasn’t exactly been glowing. But defensively, he’s held his ground, and on Wednesday, he made sure everyone noticed.

Despite the slow start at the plate, Soto showed NY Met fans there are other ways he can help the team win.

The pivotal moment unfolded in the eighth inning of a 2–2 tie against the Phillies. With two outs and Nick Castellanos on second, Max Kepler lined a single into right field. As Castellanos rounded third, Juan Soto charged the ball and unleashed a one-hop throw to rookie catcher Hayden Senger. The throw, slightly to the first-base side, was expertly handled by Senger, who lunged to tag Castellanos just before he could score. This crucial out preserved the tie and set the stage for the Mets' eventual 4–3 victory in 10 innings.

After the game, Soto reflected on his eighth-inning heroics, acknowledging his recent struggles at the plate and the need to find other ways to contribute. The throw not only highlighted his ability to step up defensively when it mattered most but also his commitment to helping the team win in any way he can. It was a reminder that while his bat is still coming around, his impact on the game goes beyond the box score.