Juan Soto, Met

[imref]

When I look at those numbers, I think he isn’t given crap to hit.

Opens up the whole "protection" argument again given Alonso is putting up good numbers behind him.

[imref]

Dude traded a potential monument at either Nats Park or at Yankee Stadium for 15 years with the Mets.  I can't feel sorry for him.

https://www.nj.com/mets/2025/05/juan-soto-had-a-chance-to-silence-yankees-fans-now-hes-jose-altuve-klapisch.html

Friday’s booing rolled into Saturday. No more helmet tipping. No more turning around to interact with the Bleacher Creatures. Sunday was the worst day of all. By then, Soto was in a terrible mood.

He’d agreed to be miked up by ESPN in the second inning but changed his mind minutes before the game. Soto told Mets officials he was tired of answering questions about Yankees captain Aaron Judge and sick of explaining why he chose the Mets.

It was a telling reversal. Most major leaguers jump at the chance for the easy Q&A on a national broadcast. They’re designed to make the players look good. The fact that Soto blew off the network was only the first sign of his darkening state of mind.

The second was Soto’s conduct after the Mets’ 8-2 loss. Not only was he held hitless, but the signature swag had vanished. Soto’s bat seemed slow, and more surprisingly, he’s put on a few pounds around the middle.

Just as Soto turned his back on ESPN, he did the same to reporters who were waiting to speak to him in the post-game clubhouse. Soto got dressed and began walking towards the door. He told a Mets official he’d be back to answer questions after seeing family members outside.

Soto never returned.

That’s not the same stand-up guy who was always at his locker last season. Even after being skewered on Friday, Soto spoke of the obligation to “take it like a man.” Two days later, he was running for the exit.

These are troubling signs for the Mets’ hierarchy. I’m told they’re concerned about Soto’s lack of enthusiasm for his new team. The only time Soto seemed happy this weekend was while he interacted with Judge, manager Aaron Boone and second baseman Jazz Chisholm during batting practice.

As I said, I’m no mind reader, but my hunch is that not only does Soto miss the Yankees, but the permanence of his decision is sinking in. Soto is staring at another 14-plus years in Flushing.

[skippy1999]

Dude traded a potential monument at either Nats Park or at Yankee Stadium for 15 years with the Mets.  I can't feel sorry for him.

https://www.nj.com/mets/2025/05/juan-soto-had-a-chance-to-silence-yankees-fans-now-hes-jose-altuve-klapisch.html

He went where he wanted to go, a choice he got to make for the first time in his life, I have no clue why people have such a hard time understanding that. He was a Yankee for a heartbeat, he owed them absolutely nothing. Their fans' behavior is absolutely absurd, they are the absolute most whiny bratty entitled babies I've ever seen. I will always root for Juan.

[blue911]

Opens up the whole "protection" argument again given Alonso is putting up good numbers behind him.

Let’s not confuse a one dimensional hitter with a stupid hitter. Testosterone dictates that you you to exhibit dominance after wimping out against the previous batter.

[OfftheBat]

He went where he wanted to go, a choice he got to make for the first time in his life, I have no clue why people have such a hard time understanding that. He was a Yankee for a heartbeat, he owed them absolutely nothing. Their fans' behavior is absolutely absurd, they are the absolute most whiny bratty entitled babies I've ever seen. I will always root for Juan.

I agree, I'm so tired of their whining. You'd think he was a Yankees fan growing up and played for them for the last 10 years.

[varoadking]

I get the feeling that Boras had a great deal to do with Juan going to the Mets...and Juan may just now be feeling the effects of that.  Just my humble opinion...

[blue911]

I get the feeling that Boras had a great deal to do with Juan going to the Mets...and Juan may just now be feeling the effects of that.  Just my humble opinion...

Frank didn’t sing Queens,Queens.

[Natsinpwc]

He took more years and money.  Just like 99 percent of free agents.  If he signed with the Yankees and had a bad year in the Bronx the fans would turn on him just like they always have.  Some posters here made a big deal when he got off to a bad start with the Padres in 2023 and said he wouldn’t get a big deal.  Just let it go.  He was never coming back to DC. 

[Count Walewski]

Who knew that joining the Mets could derail your career.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I thought you go to the Mets if you can't handle the pressure of the NYY. Kenny Rogers told me that

[English Natsie]

Mets management insist he has this on repeat...

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

I get the feeling that Boras had a great deal to do with Juan going to the Mets...and Juan may just now be feeling the effects of that.  Just my humble opinion...

If he had any other agent he’d be here on that $440M deal for the majority of his career. Not saying he did the wrong thing but he would’ve been a legend here with statues and all that jazz.

[Natsinpwc]

If he had any other agent he’d be here on that $440M deal for the majority of his career. Not saying he did the wrong thing but he would’ve been a legend here with statues and all that jazz.

I’m sure he would be having lots of fun playing for owners who don’t want to spend the money to win. 

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

I’m sure he would be having lots of fun playing for owners who don’t want to spend the money to win. 

I don’t blame him for what he did.

[imref]

I can't imagine how bad the Nationals would be right now if we extended Soto.

[Natsinpwc]

I don’t blame him for what he did.

He bet on himself and it paid off.  He’s on a team now with an owner who will spend so they should stay competitive at least until they put in a hard cap.  Which probably will never happen.  And he will go into the HOF as a Met.  He was always going to be second fiddle to Judge in the Bronx.

[Smithian]

I know he is eventually going to get white hot, but until it happens I'm taking a bit of joy at his struggles.

Eventually he or Bryce Harper will win a World Series, but I'm enjoying every big time player-not-named-Scherzer who's ever left the Nats (Desmond, ZNN, Harper, Soto, Rendon) not winning a World Series.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I don't get much happiness from these guys failure unless they are in the way of a good Nats team. Harper stung because that was still a good team. I actually like these guys doing well when we trade them because that makes other teams they are getting quality when they deal with the Nats and not damaged goods. Also, when these guys bomb out after leaving as FAs, it makes management here smug about their judgment not to pay market. In the long run, not paying market will hurt you (notwithstanding the winner's curse in auctions).

I rooted for Turner with the Dodgers. I definitely enjoy a Soto at bat except when he's facing the Nats.

[rileyn]

Harper and Turner chose the Phillies.  That alone makes them a root against them.  Soto chose the Mets.  He gone.  I did root for Desmond after he left.

[welch]

I am pleased that Wood ought to be voted to the All Star team ahead of Soto.

[varoadking]

Harper and Turner chose the Phillies.  That alone makes them a root against them.  Soto chose the Mets.  He gone.  I did root for Desmond after he left.

Turner didn't choose to leave the Nats.  I give any guy that got traded before they ultimately signed elsewhere a pass...regardless of where they end up. 

Guys that leave of their own free will can forever kiss my ass...especially Boras clients...though losing some of those guys when we did was indeed a blessing...

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I'm all for placing anyone on the Phillies in a leper colony if we get to the point where it's us or them for a playoff spot. It's just I'm not cursing them when we aren't really competing with them. Costs me too much emotion. the only team I hate regardless of the standings is the Ravens.

[IanRubbish]

A lot of guys on 6+ year contracts seem to struggle in their first year with new teams, especially Boras clients.  Some like Xander Bogaerts, Anthony Rendon, Jacoby Ellsbury, Kris Bryant and Marcus Semien stay busts for the whole contract.  Soto's got his lowest OPS ever by 98 points but it's mostly because he hasn't hit that many HRs.  That could turn around but he's going to be fodder for the NY Post until it does.

[Kevrock]

Harper and Turner chose the Phillies.  That alone makes them a root against them.  Soto chose the Mets.  He gone.  I did root for Desmond after he left.

Nats chose to sell them before they chose other teams. Turner was stunned when he was traded.

[nobleisthyname]

Soto has a .422 xwOBA (for comparison, Wood's is .409) and a BABIP of .245. He's going to be fine.

Not that I personally care anymore. I don't hate Soto and I still love his game, but I'm no longer rooting for him. Just another player now.