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New Report on Juan Soto’s Treatment of Mets Teammates

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated May 30, 2025 1:45 PM ET

The New York Mets won the offseason by signing generational star Juan Soto to a record 15-year, $765 million contract, but he hasn't held up his end of the deal so far. The four-time All-Star is slashing just .224/.352/.393 with eight homers and 25 RBI through 55 games.

For context, the combined slash line of every player in baseball this season is .244/.316/.394, via Baseball Reference. Soto's batting average and on-base percentage are 20 and 36 points below that, and he's signed to the richest contract ever.

However, Soto still has authority in the Mets' locker room, via The Athletic's Will Sammon.

Soto introduced a ritual to his fellow outfielders in spring training where they wait for each other outside the dugout when jogging off the field before New York comes to bat. They then embrace, and they do this after every defensive half-inning.

"Though Soto, in his eighth year, is off to his worst offensive start through a season’s first 56 games (.745 OPS), he has kept up with a team-centric idea he introduced to his new outfield mates during spring training," Sammon said.

"The steady Soto-led outfielder gatherings near the dugout underscore a desire to connect with teammates. That is no small thing in the context of Soto," he continued. "Seemingly, his every public move and expression generates a dialogue about his disposition amid his slow start after signing a 15-year contract worth $765 million, the richest deal in sports."

The Mets start a home series vs. the Colorado Rockies on Friday.

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

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