The Subway Series was supposed to be Juan Soto’s big moment to show New York why the Mets shelled out a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million deal to bring him to Queens. Instead, the three-game set against the Yankees turned into a chorus of boos and a whole lot of chatter about whether Soto’s heart is really in Flushing. Going 1-for-10 with four walks and zero RBIs in the Bronx didn’t exactly quiet the doubters, and now, whispers about his fit with the Mets are getting louder—both from fans and, reportedly, from the team’s own front office.
Bob Klapisch of NJ Advance Media dropped a bombshell on Monday, saying the Mets’ brass is “concerned about Soto’s lack of enthusiasm for his new team.” Ouch. Klapisch pointed out that Soto looked happiest over the weekend when he was chopping it up with Yankees stars Aaron Judge, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and manager Aaron Boone during batting practice. Meanwhile, on the field, he was ice-cold, especially with runners in scoring position, where he’s mired in a brutal 1-for-20 slump. That’s not the Soto who lit up the Bronx last year, and it’s got some folks wondering if he’s regretting his move across town.
It’s not just the numbers—though a .246/.379/.443 slash line and .822 OPS through 46 games isn’t exactly screaming $765 million value. Klapisch noted a shift in Soto’s vibe. The guy who used to own the batter’s box with his signature shuffle and infectious swagger? That spark’s been missing. On Sunday, Soto backed out of an ESPN “Sunday Night Baseball” mic-up at the last minute, telling Mets officials he was fed up with questions about Judge and his decision to ditch the Yankees. Then, after an 8-2 loss where he went hitless, he bolted the clubhouse without talking to reporters—a far cry from the stand-up guy who, just two days earlier, said he’d “take it like a man” after getting roasted by Yankees fans. Klapisch even threw in a jab about Soto looking like he’s “put on a few pounds around the middle.” Harsh, but it paints a picture of a player who’s not quite himself.
Now, not everyone’s ready to hit the panic button. Will Sammon of The Athletic reported before the series that Soto’s teammates think he’s loving life with the Mets. They chalk up his struggles to frustration over not playing at his usual “elite-elite level,” not any deeper discontent. And there’s some truth to that—Soto’s still got eight homers and 20 RBIs, and his .379 OBP shows he’s getting on base even when the hits aren’t falling. Plus, SNY’s Andy Martino points out that Starling Marte, a longtime mentor from Soto’s minor-league days, has been a lifeline in helping him adjust to the Mets’ looser, “vibey” clubhouse culture. Martino says the organization’s seen Soto smiling more lately, inching closer to the theatrical flair that makes him a showstopper at the plate.
Still, the optics aren’t great. Soto’s final six plate appearances in the Subway Series were a big fat zero—no hits, no walks, no nothing. And when you’re dodging ESPN, skipping postgame interviews, and getting called out for looking happier with your old team, it’s easy to see why some in the Mets’ hierarchy might be side-eyeing that massive contract. The Yankees series was a chance for Soto to stick it to the fans who booed him mercilessly, but instead, it fueled the narrative that he might be pining for pinstripes.
Here’s the thing, though: it’s May. Soto’s 26, a generational talent with a World Series ring and a track record of crushing it in high-pressure spots. A slow start and some grumpy moments don’t mean he’s checked out. The Mets are still atop the NL East, and with Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor anchoring the lineup, there’s plenty of time for Soto to find his groove. Imagine him flipping that switch come October—launching bombs at Citi Field, shuffling in the box, and silencing the doubters. That’s the Soto the Mets paid for.
For now, Mets fans are stuck riding the rollercoaster. Soto’s not waving the white flag, but he’s got to shake off the funk and show Queens he’s all-in. The next few weeks—starting with a tough Dodgers series—will be huge. If he can start racking up RBIs and flashing that old swag, the boos and the front-office whispers will fade fast. Until then, every groundout’s gonna feel like a referendum on that $765 million bet. Hang in there, Mets faithful—this story’s got a lot more chapters to go.
