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Mets' Carlos Mendoza Had Words After Unexpected Juan Soto Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated May 14, 2025 5:45 PM ET

Juan Soto has yet to play like a $765 million man for the New York Mets, but he's got plenty of time to do so. The 26-year-old signed a 15-year deal for that amount with the club in the offseason, marking the biggest contract in sports history.

Soto is slashing .255/.380/.465 with eight homers and 20 RBI in 43 games. The former 2019 World Series champion is tied with Brandon Nimmo for second on the team in homers and is fourth in RBI.

Mets (28-15) manager Carlos Mendoza will sit Soto out against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, and he admitted that the superstar isn't pleased, via SNY.

"It's just an off day [for Soto, no injuries]. Me trying to take advantage of an off day tomorrow that we have scheduled," he explained. "It'll hopefully give him a couple of days. It wasn't an easy conversation last night when I presented it to him, but I thought it was best to give him today."

Soto went a combined 2-for-6 with three walks and a run scored over the past two games against the Pirates (14-29).

Carlos Mendoza said it "wasn't an easy conversation" convincing Juan Soto to have a day off today pic.twitter.com/qVX3wVAqLo
— SNY (@SNYtv) May 14, 2025

Soto has been outperformed by Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor thus far. Alonso is slashing .310/.419/.589 with nine homers and 36 RBI, while Lindor is slashing .302/.366/.500 with nine homers and 26 RBI.

Right-handed pitcher Clay Holmes (5-1, 2.74 ERA) will start on Wednesday. The former closer played with Soto on the New York Yankees last season. The team lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series four games to one.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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