Juan Soto’s Successful First Season with the Mets
Statistically, Juan Soto’s inaugural season with the Mets can be deemed a triumph.
The star outfielder — who made headlines with a landmark 15-year, $765 million agreement — achieved career-best numbers across multiple offensive stats, including 43 home runs and 38 stolen bases, culminating in a third-place finish in the National League MVP voting.
However, the four-time All-Star began slowly, recording a .241 batting average with just three homers and 12 RBIs by the end of April, leading to growing frustrations among Mets fans.
In response, the 27-year-old sought guidance from former outfielder Carlos Beltran, who understands the pressure that comes with a substantial contract in New York.
“He told me he faced something similar when he struggled in New York,” Soto shared in an interview on “Siendo Honestos” with Katherine Hernandez, as translated by The Post. “During tough times, he carried a card with his stats, reminding himself of who he truly is as a player, not how others portrayed him. This mental reset helped him overcome his slump.”
Beltran’s experience with the weight of a significant contract with the Mets is notable. Following a historic 2004 postseason where he hit eight home runs for the Astros, he signed a record seven-year, $119 million deal with the Mets.
Despite making the All-Star team in 2005, Beltran faced career lows in several key areas while dealing with injuries and a notorious in-game collision. However, he rebounded the following season, posting an impressive three-year average of 33 home runs and 113 RBIs and winning three Gold Gloves.
Fortunately for the Mets, they didn’t have to wait until 2026 to witness Soto’s elite performance. Although the team fell short of the playoffs, Soto topped the league in walks (127) and on-base percentage (.396), and he tied with Oneil Cruz of the Pirates for the most stolen bases in the National League (38).
Soto also became the first player in Mets history to achieve a season with at least 40 home runs and 30 stolen bases. Additionally, he joined legends Barry Bonds and Jeff Bagwell as one of the few players in MLB history to have at least 40 homers, 30 steals, and 100 walks in a single season, finishing third in NL MVP voting behind Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Schwarber.
Beltran, now an assistant to the Mets’ president of baseball operations, praised Soto in May as he made a much-anticipated return to Yankee Stadium. “No one wants to be booed,” Beltran remarked. “But this was expected for him. He did an incredible job with the Yankees last year, and as a free agent joining the Mets, he was aware that this scrutiny would come.”
As the Mets undergo a transformative offseason with key players like Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz leaving and Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil being traded, Soto, alongside Francisco Lindor, is set to play a pivotal role in the team’s success for the upcoming season.
Even amid challenges, Soto can rely on Beltran’s wisdom, reflecting on the impact of that pivotal advice. “Looking back, I’d say that was the last piece of advice that truly made a difference for me,” said Soto.
