Juan Soto Blamed for New York Mets’ Struggles

Steve Cohen Reacts as Juan Soto Takes Heat for Mets’ Collapse

The New York Mets didn’t just go all in this season, they went royal. They pulled off a massive coup, signing Juan Soto away from the Yankees for a staggering $765 million, rolled out the red carpet, and crowned him king of Queens. But the empire is cracking.

Just a month ago, the Mets were 45-24, on top of the NL East, and looked ready to run the table. Now? They’ve lost 13 of their last 16 games, including a brutal sweep by the Pirates where they were outscored 30-4. The offense is ice-cold, the defense is leaking, and fans are slamming the panic button.

Even owner Steve Cohen took to social media, writing:

“A tough streak, no denying it. I didn’t see it coming. It’s unlikely the team will continue to hit with RISP at this slow pace. Keep the faith!”

That’s not exactly a vote of confidence, and it hasn’t stopped the finger-pointing. And somehow, despite hitting .394 with a 1.196 OPS in June, Soto is catching some of the heat.

Is Soto to Blame?

Jon Heyman of the New York Post noted that Soto couldn’t carry the team through the slump, even while acknowledging he’s hitting well. Fair point, Soto went 1-for-10 in the Pittsburgh sweep. But blaming him alone ignores the bigger picture: Pete Alonso, Francisco Lindor, and Brandon Nimmo have also gone quiet.

Soto’s agent Scott Boras even chimed in, saying he warned about the pressure that comes with that price tag. Still, the reality is this: one red-hot player can’t fix a team-wide breakdown.

Help Is on the Way

Luckily, the Mets may not be doomed just yet. Reinforcements are coming. Sean Manaea, who has yet to throw a pitch this season, dominated in a rehab start, retiring 15 straight batters. If he returns strong, it’ll help stabilize a shaky rotation.

Also, Jesse Winker is nearing a comeback. He’s only played 24 games this season but brings solid on-base ability and a veteran presence the clubhouse sorely needs.

Can the Mets Still Save the Season?

Francisco Lindor admitted:

“We’ve been outplayed in every aspect.”

But with Soto heating up, reinforcements on the way, and a fanbase desperate for a turnaround, the season isn’t over yet. If there’s a turning point coming, this might be it.

Read More: Ranking the 20 Most Charismatic MLB Stars Ever

Related Articles
Pete Rose
The 17 Most Pesky MLB Stars of All Time
Whether it was their relentless hustle or pesky plate approach, these 17 MLB stars made their careers...
Read More
Retired Pittsburgh Steelershead coach Bill Cowher is recognized at halftime of the Seattle Seahawks game for his induction into the Hall of Fame at Heinz Field.
The 13 Most Overrated NFL Coaches of All Time
From media darlings to guys who got too much credit for stacked rosters, we round up NFL coaches who’ve...
Read More
Jan 3, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) celebrates with teammates after a touchdown run against the Washington Football Team during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
15 NFL Teams Everyone Secretly Loved to See Fail
For one reason or another, when these squads crash and burn, football fans everywhere can’t help but...
Read More
Carson Wentz
14 NFL Receivers With Hands Like Bricks
These NFL receivers were known for drops that made fans groan. Discover 14 wideouts with hands like bricks...
Read More
Dec 20, 2009; Dallas, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal (33) shoots a free throw against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
13 NBA Big Men Who Couldn’t Hit Free Throws
Whether it was nerves, mechanics, or just plain bad luck, these NBA big men turned every trip to the...
Read More
Dec 20, 2009; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell (2) walks off the field after the Raiders' 20-19 victory over the Denver Broncos at Invesco Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-Imagn Images
12 Quarterbacks Who Had No Pocket Awareness
These 12 quarterbacks had all the tools—except pocket awareness. See who froze under pressure and made...
Read More

As an Amazon Associate, The Quick Report earns from qualifying purchases.

Part of the Castaway Studios media network.