The New York Mets are navigating some choppy waters, and outfielder Juan Soto has taken a moment to address the team’s struggles. Following a tough 9-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, Soto was among the players who spoke up during a players-only meeting, aiming to rally the troops during this rough patch.
Soto recently chatted with Laura Albanese, shedding light on his own unique brand of leadership amidst a slump that saw the Mets’ record slide from 45-24 to 48-37. “I have my own way about me,” Soto noted. “Guys know who I am and how I handle myself being here. So, I don’t know what type of leader you want me to call myself [after speaking at the meeting]. I’ve never called myself a leader. I always call myself a rookie.”
Having signed a mammoth 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets last December, Soto has plenty of eyes watching his every move. Despite the expectations, the Mets have given Soto space to find his footing in a new clubhouse. He shared that he’s learned a lot about leadership from past teammates but recognizes the need to evolve in his own way.
“I try to be open to everybody,” Soto said. “But at the same time, I know we have a lot of pressure — everybody in here — and a lot of guys have to do their own thing. So me, putting more pressure, more thoughts of what I have going on, I don’t think it’s going to help. I keep it to myself.”
Despite the team’s woes, Soto’s June performance was nothing short of spectacular. According to ESPN stats, he slashed .322/.474/.722 with an impressive 1.196 OPS, 11 home runs, 20 RBIs, and 25 walks. Yet, as noted by Bridget Hyland of NJ.com, the Mets’ offensive output has been inconsistent, scoring three or fewer runs in nine of their last 16 games, leading to 13 defeats. The struggles were starkly evident as the team suffered another blowout loss, 12-1, the day after the players-only meeting.
Adding to the conversation on player meetings, shortstop Francisco Lindor commented on Tuesday that such meetings aren’t a magical solution. Reflecting on 2023, Lindor had called a players-only meeting on May 29, credited by many for sparking a transformation that saw the Mets reach the National League Championship Series. With a crucial three-game home series against the Milwaukee Brewers on the horizon, Lindor and the Mets hope for a similar turnaround.
The upcoming series presents an opportunity for the Mets to reset and potentially redirect their season’s trajectory. Whether the players-only meeting serves as a catalyst for change remains to be seen, but with Soto swinging a hot bat and Lindor providing veteran insights, there’s certainly potential for a midseason revival.
