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
Sep 9, 2018; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks with head coach Bill Belichick and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels during warm ups before the start of the game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
14 Quarterbacks Who Hated Their Head Coach
From icy stares on the sidelines to full-on public meltdowns, here are quarterbacks who clearly couldn’t...
Read More
February 8, 2019; Pebble Beach, CA, USA; Ho-sung Choi hits his tee shot on the 14th hole during the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament at Spyglass Hill Golf Course. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
15 Golfers With Swings That Defied Physics
From homemade swings to unexplainable body motion, these 15 golfers made you pause and ask, How is that...
Read More
Apr 23, 2022; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) is unable to stop a shot from Ottawa Senators center Josh Norris (not pictured) in the second period at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
The 13 Most Overrated NHL Goalies of All Time
Some goalies were propped up by strong teams, while others lived off a reputation that never quite matched...
Read More
Apr 20, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter (2) reacts during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images
25 MLB Players Who Had That Unbothered Aura
Whether it was style, swagger, or just pure chill, these 25 guys always gave off that effortlessly unfazed...
Read More
Ozzie Smith
20 MLB Fielders Who Had Hands Like Magic
These 20 MLB fielders legends, from slick shortstops to fearless outfielders, turned glove work into...
Read More
Oct 19, 1997; Oakland, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway (7) in action against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY NETWORK
13 Quarterbacks Who Played Like They Were Possessed
These QBs turned into absolute maniacs when the lights came on, like they were channeling some kind of...
Read More

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

Part of the Castaway Studios media network.