New York Mets All-Star outfielder Juan Soto’s recent comment about former teammate, New York Yankees captain Aaron Choose, continues to hover over him amid his sluggish offensive begin to the 2025 season.
Following the Mets’ 4-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday, Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor insisted that he and others throughout the clubhouse weren’t bothered by Soto’s phrases.
“Soto is a superb workforce participant,” Lindor informed Manny Gomez of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. “He worries about having good at-bats for the workforce. The reality is that no one took what he mentioned in any unfavorable manner. He’s among the best gamers within the recreation, and all he needs to do is win video games. I really feel good that he’s in a position to categorical himself in no matter manner he needs. And, on the finish of the day, he didn’t say something mistaken or malicious. He mentioned what he was pondering as a result of he needs to get higher.”
Soto was in the course of a 13-game dwelling run drought when he admitted that taking part in for the Mets is “positively completely different” as a result of he beforehand “had the very best hitter in baseball hitting behind me” whereas with the Yankees. Some, akin to longtime Yankees announcer Michael Kay, noticed Soto’s reward of Choose as “sort of a backhanded slap at” Mets first baseman Pete Alonso.
Whereas ESPN stats present that Alonso leads the Mets in a number of offensive classes, Soto has left a lot to be desired along with his play after he signed a 15-year, $765M contract that might exceed $800M to affix the membership this previous offseason. Throughout his first 19 video games of the marketing campaign, Soto hit .221 with three dwelling runs, seven RBI and a .773 OPS.
Lindor is aware of what it is prefer to ink an enormous deal however then struggle within the first half of a primary season with the Mets. As not too long ago as final spring, he heard boos throughout dwelling video games amid a hunch earlier than he and the remainder of the workforce acquired sizzling.
“Keep the course. Keep targeted on what you’re doing,” Lindor mentioned concerning recommendation he has for Soto with the Mets at 12-7. “He’s somebody who involves the clubhouse and works exhausting. He simply has to maintain doing what he’s doing, and finally, the outcomes will come. Followers will say good issues and dangerous issues. On the finish of the day, followers will find yourself appreciating and loving him.”
Per SNY’s Ben Krimmel, Mets supervisor Carlos Mendoza additionally got here to Soto’s protection on Thursday by noting that the slugger is giving the membership “nice at-bats” regardless of the dearth of manufacturing.
“I simply need him to be himself, go on the market, have enjoyable and play the sport,” Mendoza added about Soto.
