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.
