The New York Mets’ big-season acquisition, Juan Soto, has delivered in his first season in Queens. The MLB regular season will soon end on September 28th. The Mets continue holding on for the 3rd NL Wild card spot as the Arizona Diamondbacks are 2.0 games behind. It has been a roller coaster season for Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, whose team is 80-74 as of today. Juan Soto continues to keep the Mets season alive with another historic game against the Washington Nationals, launching a 3 run Homerun to propel the Mets to a 12-6 victory.
Juan Soto is the best player in the NY Mets lineup. There’s no arguing against the 26-year-old’s greatness. The confidence Soto displays at the plate is terrifying for opposing pitchers, I’m sure. Soto’s unique approach of patience and power is a lethal talent few players, such as Barry Bonds, have demonstrated. In Soto’s first season with the Mets, the Right fielder has a .263 BA/ 42 Hr/ 103 RBI/ 33 Stolen Bases/ .528 Slugging/ .922 OPS.
Although very impressive, the young slugger’s numbers have regressed in certain areas. Soto’s time in the Bronx with the Yankees produced far greater stats with a .288 BA/ 41 Hr/ 109 RBI/ 569. Slugging, and a .988 OPS. Soto’s surge in stolen bases this season with the Mets is a welcome addition to his overall stat line. Despite this surprise, don’t expect Soto to come close to those numbers in 2026.
Juan Soto’s presence in the Mets lineup created significant scoring opportunities for Mets’ 1B Pete Alonso. In 2024, the veteran power hitter finished the season with a respectable .240 BA, 34 HRs, 88 RBIs, .459 Slugging, and a .788 OPS. In 2025, as of today, however, the “Polar Bear’, is slashing a .270 BA, 37 HRs, 121 RBI’s, .526 Slugging, and a .871 OPS. Alonso’s boost in offensive performance is no coincidence. Soto’s spot in the Yankees lineup helped others produce a year prior.
Yet for some reason, Soto’s existence had a negligible effect on SS Francisco Lindor. The 31-year-old veteran has produced another solid season in his career with a .265 BA, 27 HRs, 30 stolen bases, 78 RBI’s, .452 slugging, and a .793 OPS. Lindor’s numbers in 2025 have taken a small hit compared to last season(.273 BA, 33 HRs, 91 RBI’s, 29 stolen bases, .500 slugging, .844 OPS). With 8 games left in the 2025 regular season, I don’t expect his final line to improve vastly.
Juan Soto’s impact is notable, but the Mets are not where they need to be in the NL East. Soto’s bat is not enough to overcome other World Series-bound teams like the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, and L.A Dodgers. Mets owner Steve Cohen showed the world how deep his pockets are by signing Soto, which includes lavish luxuries. Cohen has failed to address the mid-tier pitching rotation despite making various offseason acquisitions. Cohen’s Mets have the second-highest payroll in baseball in 2025. Still, the Mets’ lack of a true ace should be Cohen’s top priority in the offseason.
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