Juan Soto ‘probably trying to do too much' during slow Mets start: David Stearns
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Certainly, no one expected that at the end of May, President of Baseball Operations David Stearns — among others, like Carlos Mendoza — would still be trying to explain Juan Soto's slow start to his Mets career.
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But there was Stearns on Friday, with Soto not looking anything like the hitter he's been for much of his career, doing just that and acknowledging the $765 million slugger hasn't lived up to expectations.
'Do I think he's trying to do too much right now? Yeah, I think he's probably trying to do too much right now,' Stearns said before the Mets opened a series against the Rockies in Queens. 'That is natural for a player who cares.'
Putting too much pressure on himself certainly wasn't the case a year ago, when Soto did almost nothing but play well with the Yankees.
David Stearns addresses reporters during a press conference May 30. Robert Sabo for the NY Post
Soto entered Friday with a .745 OPS, which isn't what the Mets signed up for, but the results have been even worse since May 10.
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After compiling an .891 OPS in his first 39 games, Soto had was just 7-for-59 with a double, 12 walks, 17 strikeouts and a feeble .396 OPS in his previous 16 games.
Juan Soto reacts after striking out during a May 28 game against the White Sox. JASON SZENES/NY POST
He was also hitless in 17 straight at-bats before a third-inning RBI double in Friday's 4-2 win.
Soto later picked up a single.
Afterwards, he said he wasn't feeling pressure.
'It's more that I want to come through for the team,' Soto said. 'I know I've been struggling and haven't been there for them, but I will be. … It's a matter of time. I don't know when it will come.'
Soto also entered Friday hitting just .130 in those spots, sixth worst in the majors. A year ago, he hit .345 — seventh best in the majors — in the same scenarios.
Juan Soto waits on deck during the Mets' game against the Rockies on May 30. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post
'I think he's putting extra pressure on himself in those situations,'' Stearns said. 'And you expand [the strike zone]. … It's an unusual stretch for him and I'm sure he feels it, so that can lead to discomfort and pressure.'
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Stearns said that despite the slump, he doesn't believe Soto's confidence has been impacted.
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'I don't,' Stearns said. 'I think there's frustration. I have not sensed a confidence issue.'
Regardless of Soto's attitude, his rotten first two months as a Met have gained plenty of attention around the sport.
'He's working, he's trying,'' Stearns said. 'He wants results higher than what we've seen. I'm pretty confident we're gonna get those. I also understand when a player signs a big contract, if the results aren't there, there are gonna be questions.'
Juan Soto (22) hits a single in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Queens, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
Asked to pinpoint a particular problem Soto is having that's led to this surprising start, Stearns said, 'I honestly don't have a, 'This is the issue he needs to fix to get better. I think he's taking pretty good at-bats.'
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But Stearns also noted Soto is 'hitting the ball on the ground more than in the past' and scouts and executives also say this is the most significant change from Soto than in the past.
And like just about everyone else associated with the organization, Stearns is waiting for Soto to turn it around.
'It's a very unique position he's in,' Stearns said of Soto's hefty contract and ensuing spotlight. 'I am very confident it will maybe take a bloop or couple bloops or take connecting on one to exhale a little bit. I imagine it's difficult when the results don't come.'
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