As if this season couldn't get any worse for the New York Mets, superstar slugger Juan Soto is being accused of receiving preferential treatment.
Soto signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets prior to the 2025 season. Although he finished his first season in Queens with a .263 batting average and 43 homers, his squad failed to make the playoffs. Barring a drastic turnaround this summer, the Mets (35-50) are expected to miss the postseason this year as well.
Even though Soto is playing well this season (.301 average and 17 home runs), the Mets star is apparently struggling when it comes to providing leadership in the clubhouse.
Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images.
While on the "EC3" podcast, former Mets hitting coach and bench coach Eric Chavez said Soto sits away from his teammates in between innings.
"This is a lack of leadership, a lack of accountability, from the top down," Chavez said, via the New York Post. "And we had an assistant GM who would sit there with [Soto] — the assistant GM would sit there with him — and kind of coddle him, tap him on the shoulder, without saying 'Hey dude, how about getting in the dugout with your teammates.'"
David Stearns, the president of baseball operations for the Mets, has apparently done nothing to change Soto's ways behind the scenes.
The Mets have already hit rock bottom this season.
After falling to 34-47 on the season, the Mets fired manager Carlos Mendoza. It was a decision that had some players in the clubhouse feeling quite disappointed by their shortcomings.
"We failed Mendy," Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor said. "I failed Mendy. I didn't play to my capability to help him win as many games as we could. And yeah, this one's on us as well."
Maybe the Mets will start a win streak this Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays.
