Insider shares how Juan Soto is fitting in with Mets amid inconsistent start

During a recent conversation with Jon Heyman of the New York Post (h/t SNY), All-Star outfielder Juan Soto admitted he is "still figuring it out" and "adjusting to the new team" after Soto signed a 15-year, $765M contract that could exceed $800M total to join the New York Mets this past offseason. 

For a story published on Friday, Mets reporter Will Sammon of The Athletic touched upon how Soto fits in with his current teammates behind the scenes. 

"His teammates think he loves it here," Sammon said about Soto. "He has 'his guys' in the bullpen. He has fun with that. ...(Mets relief pitcher) Ryne Stanek lockers next to Soto. I trust Stanek’s ability to read people he spends time with. Stanek tells me Soto is a terrific teammate and loves chatting with him. I haven’t seen or heard anything otherwise."

Soto's suggestion in April that he missed sharing a lineup with New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge raised eyebrows, as did the fact that the "Soto Shuffle" hasn't yet become a Mets gameday tradition. Soto told Heyman he doesn't regret leaving the Yankees for the Mets and is "happy" with his free-agency decision. 

As for why Soto has sometimes appeared frustrated in a Mets uniform this spring, Sammon mentioned that the 26-year-old "likes performing at an elite-elite level" and "hasn’t done that yet" with the Amazins. Heading into the three-game series at the Yankees that gets underway on Friday night, Soto was slashing .255/.380/.465 with an .845 OPS, eight home runs and 20 RBI on the season. 

Sammon pointed out that Soto is on somewhat of an island because no MLB player has ever before "played in the backdrop of a $765M deal." Despite having a version of Soto who allegedly has been pressing at the plate throughout the season's opening two months, the first-place Mets ended Thursday's MLB action at 28-16. 

Perhaps the club's record will take some pressure off Soto's shoulders as he prepares to hear boos and other jeers during at-bats in the Bronx this weekend.