The New York Mets find themselves in a precarious situation as they battle to secure a playoff spot in the National League. Despite clinching a victory on Tuesday and receiving assistance from the Pirates, which placed them a game ahead of the Reds for the third wild card position, the Mets are not out of danger. A failure to make the postseason would be a significant disappointment, especially considering their aggressive offseason moves, which included a hefty payroll exceeding $340 million—second only to the Dodgers—and their success last season, which saw them reach the National League Championship Series. Notably, the Mets had the best record in Major League Baseball up until mid-June, adding to the weight of expectations.
Among the notable additions to the team was the acquisition of Juan Soto, who signed a massive 15-year, $765 million contract. While some critics might suggest placing blame on Soto for the team’s struggles, this perspective would be misplaced. Soto is experiencing a standout season, arguably one of his most well-rounded to date. His stats speak volumes—hitting .267 with an impressive on-base percentage of .399 and a slugging percentage of .532. He has amassed 42 home runs, 104 RBIs, and 118 runs, alongside 36 stolen bases, culminating in a WAR of 6.4. His on-base percentage leads the National League, and he ranks high in both Baseball-Reference and FanGraphs’ WAR metrics.
Soto’s value extends beyond mere statistics. As a proven performer in high-stakes situations, Soto was instrumental in the Washington Nationals’ 2019 World Series win and has contributed significantly to deep playoff runs with the Padres and Yankees in subsequent years. Any notion of Soto lacking a “winner’s gene” is easily dispelled by his track record.
Although Soto started the season slowly, hitting .229 through early June, his performance has soared since then, playing a pivotal role as an offensive powerhouse for the Mets. His remarkable turnaround is exemplified by his .293 batting average with a .421 on-base percentage and a .600 slugging percentage from June onward, combined with 31 home runs over 93 games.
Soto’s prowess on the base paths is another notable aspect of his 2025 campaign. His 36 stolen bases surpass those of teammates, such as Francisco Lindor, and his success rate is an astonishing 90%, far above the league average. Soto’s ability to adapt and improve his base-running skills has been partly attributed to the guidance of first-base coach Antoan Richardson.
In addition to his newfound speed, Soto has achieved a rare milestone by joining the exclusive group of players who have recorded a “40-30” season—40 home runs and 30 stolen bases. This feat puts him among baseball legends and current stars like Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, and Shohei Ohtani.
Ultimately, Soto’s remarkable season highlights his significant contribution to the team, and the Mets’ potential playoff miss cannot be attributed to his performance. Instead, the shortcomings of the team as a whole must be addressed to ensure postseason success. Soto’s excellence remains a bright spot for the Mets and should be celebrated regardless of the season’s outcome.