As New York Mets supporters grow increasingly vocal about their concerns over Juan Soto’s effort on the field, many have voiced skepticism about the star slugger’s intensity.
There are worries that his effort and passion have significantly dipped due to his historic 15-year, $765 million (plus) contract.
In other words, fans are worried that Soto no longer cares as much as he used to because he got paid.
There are also reports that Soto’s energy and enthusiasm is noticeably down because he never wanted to leave the Yankees.
However, former MLB ace Pedro Martinez has entered the conversation, offering a strong defense of Soto and urging patience.
Martinez, a Hall of Fame pitcher who dominated the league from 1992 to 2009, took to social media to remind critics that adjusting to stardom – and the pressures of being the highest-paid player – is no easy feat.
Pedro’s perspective is especially meaningful given his own experience navigating a spotlight few players face.
“Juan Soto: I was once the highest paid player and it took me a while to adjust. Nobody thinks about the human inside the uniform. There are things that can get you distracted. We forget how young he is,” he posted on X.
At 26 years old, Soto is in the first year of his record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract, making him the highest-paid player in MLB history.
Shohei Ohtani trails behind with a 10-year, $700 million deal.
When Martinez signed a six-year, $75 million contract in 1997, it was the largest deal ever for a pitcher at the time, placing him in a similar spotlight despite the vast difference in contract size.
Though the financial gap between their deals is significant, the pressure that comes with such status remains comparable.
“I love Pedro, just like Soto is my favorite player now, he was my favorite player back then, but you can’t ask us to “think of the human inside the uniform ” when we are seeing a player who looks unhappy and unwilling to play for a team that pays him for one at bat what many people make in a year . Let us see him shuffle and be the player Steven Cohen meant to sign . It’s not about the numbers. It’s his body language everyone is disappointed about,” a fan posted on X.
Martinez was able to sustain elite performance throughout his career, validating his hefty contract for the Boston Red Sox and setting a precedent for players like Soto.
Fortunately for the Mets, Soto is still relatively young, with ample time to find his footing and elevate his game.
While some fans have criticized his lack of energy and enthusiasm, his numbers tell a more nuanced story.
In 174 at-bats this season, the five-time Silver Slugger boasts a .247 batting average, a solid .379 on-base percentage, along with 43 hits, eight home runs, and 20 RBIs.
It seems the primary concern among Mets fans is not poor play but rather the perceived intensity and drive Soto shows on the field.
With veteran voices like Martinez urging understanding, there’s hope the young star will adjust and thrive under the weight of expectations in the years to come.
What are your thoughts on the Soto situation? … Are you worried that he just doesn’t have that “dog” in him anymore now that he’s been paid???
