The New York Mets stormed into the 2025 season riding a wave of optimism. After a headline-grabbing offseason and a strong start in April, expectations were sky-high. But as summer approaches, that early excitement has faded into growing frustration. The team has dipped below .500, and Mets fans are losing patience with several marquee names who’ve fallen short of their billing. Among those under the microscope: Juan Soto, Sean Manaea, and Edwin Díaz.
Juan Soto: Superstar Scrutiny
No player in baseball—and certainly not on the Mets—entered 2025 under a bigger spotlight than Juan Soto. After inking a historic 15-year, $765 million contract, Soto was expected to be nothing short of a franchise savior. Instead, his debut in Queens has been defined by lukewarm production and questions about his hustle.
Through late April, Soto’s numbers—.257 batting average, .378 on-base percentage, .410 slugging, three home runs, and 12 RBIs—would be solid for most players. But for someone with the richest deal in sports history, they’ve fallen far short of expectations. Fans have been vocal about their disappointment, particularly as the Mets falter in key matchups against rivals like the Yankees and Red Sox.
It’s not just the stat line drawing ire. Soto’s effort on the field has come under fire. In one particularly glaring instance at Fenway Park, he paused to admire a would-be homer that stayed in the yard, turning what should’ve been extra bases into a long single. Manager Carlos Mendoza addressed the lapse with Soto—a conversation that didn’t go unnoticed by the fans. As one columnist put it, “At just 26, there’s no excuse not to be sprinting out of the box every time.”
Advanced stats still show Soto as an elite hitter—his expected batting average and contact rates remain strong—but in a market like New York, optics and timing matter. Mets fans, still stung by watching Soto lead the Yankees to a World Series just last season, aren’t content with merely good. They expected greatness. For now, Soto’s underwhelming start has made him a focal point of frustration in Queens.
Sean Manaea: The $75 Million Ghost
When the Mets brought back Sean Manaea on a three-year, $75 million deal after a strong 2024 campaign (12–6, 3.47 ERA), they believed they were locking in a dependable presence for their rotation. Instead, Manaea has become emblematic of the team’s injury troubles—and a growing source of fan discontent.
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