Soto needs to elevate his effort before the situation spirals out of control.

Juan Soto’s Slow Start: A Wake-Up Call in Queens

New York was electric this past offseason when the Mets shocked the baseball world by signing Juan Soto to a staggering 15-year, $765 million deal — the richest contract in baseball history. Mets fans rejoiced. Not only did their team land one of the game’s premier hitters, but they also beat out the Yankees, Soto’s former team. It felt like a seismic shift in the city’s baseball power dynamic. Mets owner Steve Cohen, channeling his inner George Steinbrenner, had thrown down the gauntlet and taken over the town.

But in baseball, winning the offseason doesn’t guarantee results on the field. Players must live up to the hype — and the paycheck.

So far, Soto has not.

Through 50 games, he’s slashing .243/.374/.429 — well below his career norms of .284/.418/.527. He has eight home runs and 21 RBIs. Those are respectable numbers, and his 131 OPS+ means he’s still 31% better than a league-average hitter. But compared to last year’s 179 OPS+ or his career average of 159, this is a clear regression. For a player being paid like the best hitter in baseball, “pretty good” won’t cut it.

The struggle isn’t unusual. Star players often stumble out of the gate after signing massive contracts. The pressure to justify every dollar can cause them to press — and Soto looks like he’s pressing. At the same time, he’s being criticized for the opposite: not trying hard enough.

Last Sunday in the Bronx, Soto hit a routine grounder to second. DJ LeMahieu dove, recovered, and still threw him out. Replays showed Soto didn’t hustle out of the box. A day later in Boston, Soto admired what he thought was a home run off the Green Monster. The ball stayed in the yard. He settled for a single when he could’ve had a double — two straight days of lackluster effort.

Worse than the lack of hustle was Soto’s response. Asked about it by reporters, he acted puzzled and dismissed the concerns, insisting he is hustling — if you “actually watch him on the field.” That tone — detached, defensive — didn’t sit well. Accountability matters in New York.

To be fair, Soto made some excellent defensive plays in that Yankees series, tracking down fly balls in the right-center gap. But when you’re underperforming and making $765 million, fans and media notice every misstep. And they don’t forget.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said he spoke with Soto about the effort concerns. He acknowledged that Soto’s frustrations over his slow start may be affecting his hustle. That’s understandable. Soto likely wants to succeed more than anyone. But with immense talent comes immense expectation — and little room for excuses.

Soto’s been here before. He played for the Yankees last season. He knows how quickly the New York media and fans can turn. What they demand isn’t perfection — it’s effort, honesty, and accountability. Own your mistakes, play hard, and they’ll support you. But if you appear indifferent or entitled, they’ll turn on you. Fast.

The Mets are 30-20. They’re winning. That helps — for now. But problems in New York accumulate. If Soto fails to hustle again, it won’t be viewed as an isolated lapse. It will be seen as a pattern. And the backlash will be brutal.

Someone close to Soto — a teammate, friend, family member, or agent — needs to step in and reset his mindset. The self-pity needs to go. He must stop competing against himself and start playing for his team. Contribute on the bases, in the field, in the dugout. Be the biggest cheerleader for your teammates. Take the pressure off yourself. And above all, be accountable.

This isn’t irreversible. But if Soto doesn’t shift course soon, it could be a very long 15 years in Queens.

As a general manager, I’d let the manager address the on-field issues directly. Then I’d follow up to reinforce the message — reminding Soto what New York fans truly value. I’d also contact his agent, Scott Boras, and gauge where Soto’s head is at. He’s too talented not to figure it out, but support and urgency must go hand-in-hand.

I still believe Soto will heat up and win over Mets fans. These early struggles could soon be forgotten, just a footnote in a Hall of Fame career.