Money never buys happiness. Juan Soto has been finding that out in Queens. Since signing that
record-breaking $15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets and even saying the
team gives him the best chance to win, he’s done none of that. Last season, New York collapsed
in the second half of the year and missed the postseason. So far this season, they have one of
the league’s worst records. Given that nothing good has happened since the 27-year-old joined
the team, Juan Soto should regret ever signing with the New York Mets.
During Juan Soto’s stint with the Yankees, he set career highs in home runs (41) and RBI (109).
The former World Series winner also made his fourth career All-Star team. He would go on to
help the Bronx Bombers return to the World Series for the first time since 2009. Soto was not
only a force during the regular season but the playoffs as well. In 14 combined games against
the Royals, Guardians, and Dodgers, the four-time All-Star hit .327 with four home runs and
nine RBI.
After the 2024 season concluded, Juan Soto became the hottest name in free agency. The
Yankees wanted him back beyond 2024 and other teams like the Mets, Red Sox, Dodgers, and
Blue Jays wanted Soto as well. The bidding to sign the young superstar was intense. However,
the four-time All-Star made his decision to sign with the New York Mets. The team gave him a
15-year, $765 million deal, the largest contract ever given in all professional sports!
New York Mets fans were predictably very excited about the Soto signing. The team was just
coming off a surprise run to the NLCS, where they took the eventual world champion Dodgers
to seven games, and thought that Juan Soto was the final piece needed to end their own
championship drought. Mets Fans were particularly ecstatic about how the team managed to
take him away from the Yankees. They were even gullible enough to think that New York City
was suddenly a Mets town due to signing Soto.
In his first season with the Mets, Soto performed well, slashing .263/.396/.525 with 43 home
runs, 105 RBI, and an OPS of .921. His 43 home runs were a new career high. However, the
2025 season was one to forget for the New York Mets. At one point, they had the best record in
baseball. However, despite his solid year, the team epically collapsed, going 28-37 in the second
half of the season, and missing the postseason.
Last offseason, Juan Soto got to experience just how chaotic the New York Mets can be. Pete
Alonso and Edwin Diaz departed in free agency and other players like Jeff McNeil and Brandon
Nimmo were traded. Replacing Nimmo, Alonso, and McNeil were Jorge Polanco, Bo Bichette,
Luis Robert Jr., and Marcus Semien. Little did the 27-year-old know that he was going to truly
understand the unfortunate realities of playing for this franchise.
So far, this season has been a nightmare for the New York Mets. Despite having the second-
largest payroll in baseball, they’re currently in last place in the NL East and have one of the
worst records in baseball. At one point, the team had a 12-game losing streak, tied for the sixth
longest in franchise history. It didn’t help that the four-time All-Star missed 15 games in April
due to a right calf strain. Even with Soto in the lineup, New York is only averaging 3.54 runs per
game. The only team averaging fewer runs per game than the Mets is the San Francisco Giants.
While it’s only May, things have become so dire in Queens that the team is currently batting
Soto leadoff.
Juan Soto had an opportunity to play for a more consistent contender, such as the New York
Yankees. However, the 27-year-old chose the money and signed with the New York Mets. Since
coming to Queens, Soto’s Mets have missed the postseason and are currently on track to spend
another October at home. Juan Soto chose $765 million from baseball’s most dysfunctional
franchise over consistently playing in the postseason. Money never guarantees happiness and
the 27-year-old is currently learning the hard way.
