When the New York Mets secured Juan Soto with a massive 15-year, $765 million contract, it was more than just a splash—it was a statement. The team believed they had found their franchise player, someone who would not only deliver MVP-caliber performances but also lead by example. However, just 47 games into his tenure, Soto's impact has been far from what fans envisioned. Ranked 98th in the league’s individual statistics, the Dominican slugger has yet to find his groove, and his perceived lack of urgency on the field has started to raise eyebrows.
Why the Yankees' loss to the Red Sox has put Juan Soto’s commitment under intense scrutiny
The recent Subway Series against his former team, the Yankees, added fuel to the fire. During the eighth inning of a tense 2-2 game, Soto grounded a ball up the middle. Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu made a spectacular sliding play, and while it was a fine piece of defense, what truly caught attention was Soto’s lackluster hustle—he was only halfway to first when LeMahieu secured the out.
Criticism came swiftly, from fans, pundits, and even within the Mets clubhouse. But Soto, when asked about his effort, dismissed the concerns. “No, I’ve been hustling pretty hard. If you see it today, you can tell,” he insisted.
Unfortunately, that wasn't the only moment that invited scrutiny. In a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Soto launched what seemed to be a sure home run. The ball slammed into the Green Monster, falling short of clearing it. But instead of sprinting out of the box, he paused to admire the hit, ultimately settling for a single. With the wind and cold conditions working against hitters, the ball dying at the wall wasn’t shocking—but Soto’s delayed reaction was.
“He thought he had it out,” manager Carlos Mendoza explained postgame. “But in this park, with that wall, you have to run from the first moment. We're going to talk about it.”
Mendoza’s tone was diplomatic, but the message was clear. Every at-bat counts in close games, and hesitation can make the difference between a win and a loss. Soto did go on to steal second base in that inning but never made it home.
His performance across the Subway Series—1-for-10 with four walks and three strikeouts—only intensified the scrutiny. Fans voiced their frustration online, and Mendoza acknowledged that the topic needed addressing, reiterating, “We will talk to him about it.”
As the Mets look to bounce back against Boston, the pressure is squarely on Soto—not just to hit, but to hustle. For a player of his stature and salary, the standard is simply higher.
Also Read: Chicago White Sox honor Pope Leo XIV with a touching tribute fans didn’t see coming at Rate Field
Why the Yankees' loss to the Red Sox has put Juan Soto’s commitment under intense scrutiny
The recent Subway Series against his former team, the Yankees, added fuel to the fire. During the eighth inning of a tense 2-2 game, Soto grounded a ball up the middle. Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu made a spectacular sliding play, and while it was a fine piece of defense, what truly caught attention was Soto’s lackluster hustle—he was only halfway to first when LeMahieu secured the out.
Criticism came swiftly, from fans, pundits, and even within the Mets clubhouse. But Soto, when asked about his effort, dismissed the concerns. “No, I’ve been hustling pretty hard. If you see it today, you can tell,” he insisted.
"I think I've been hustling pretty hard"
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) May 20, 2025
Juan Soto disputed the hustle criticism despite Carlos Mendoza saying he will talk to Soto about not hustling out of the box on a ball off the green monster tonight pic.twitter.com/DrOqm6BrFj
Unfortunately, that wasn't the only moment that invited scrutiny. In a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Soto launched what seemed to be a sure home run. The ball slammed into the Green Monster, falling short of clearing it. But instead of sprinting out of the box, he paused to admire the hit, ultimately settling for a single. With the wind and cold conditions working against hitters, the ball dying at the wall wasn’t shocking—but Soto’s delayed reaction was.
“He thought he had it out,” manager Carlos Mendoza explained postgame. “But in this park, with that wall, you have to run from the first moment. We're going to talk about it.”
Mendoza’s tone was diplomatic, but the message was clear. Every at-bat counts in close games, and hesitation can make the difference between a win and a loss. Soto did go on to steal second base in that inning but never made it home.
His performance across the Subway Series—1-for-10 with four walks and three strikeouts—only intensified the scrutiny. Fans voiced their frustration online, and Mendoza acknowledged that the topic needed addressing, reiterating, “We will talk to him about it.”
As the Mets look to bounce back against Boston, the pressure is squarely on Soto—not just to hit, but to hustle. For a player of his stature and salary, the standard is simply higher.
Also Read: Chicago White Sox honor Pope Leo XIV with a touching tribute fans didn’t see coming at Rate Field
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