Juan Soto hasn’t quite been himself since joining the Mets, though he’s still producing at a solid clip. After going just 1-for-10 in the Subway Series against the Yankees this weekend, Soto’s batting .246 with an .822 OPS through his first 46 games in Queens.
Those are respectable numbers in today’s game, but they fall short of what you’d expect from a player who signed a $765 million contract. The good news? Championships aren’t decided in May, and the Mets are tied with the Dodgers for the best record in the National League at 29-18, even after dropping two of three to the Yankees.
For the Mets to reach their ultimate goals this season, they’ll need Soto to find his elite form. Aaron Judge, his former teammate, believes that’s just a matter of time.
Judge and Soto shared a moment before Sunday night’s game, an 8-2 Yankees win where Soto went hitless. After the game, Judge revealed what he told Soto during their pregame embrace.
“Just said hello to him, I hadn’t seen him all series,” Judge told SNY. “Just kind of wishing him the best, kind of said, ‘Hey man, you’re the best in the game. Things like this are gonna happen, just keep playing your game.'”
Judge would know. He witnessed Soto’s brilliance up close last season when the two formed one of baseball’s most formidable offensive duos during Soto’s lone year in the Bronx.
Now that he’s faced the boos at Yankee Stadium (and won’t have to return there unless both teams reach the World Series), Soto can put the Yankees chapter behind him. He’s a Met through and through now, and they have a chance to do something special with his help.
