Although Juan Soto has gotten off to a sluggish start this season, many believe it’s only a matter of time before he returns to his usual elite form. Recently, Soto attributed part of his slow start to no longer having Aaron Judge hitting behind him in the lineup—a comment that caught some people off guard, including Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, who shared his take on the situation.
Soto pointed out that he’s seeing different types of pitches with the Mets compared to his time with the Yankees, where Judge’s presence provided him more protection in the batting order. On the show Foul Territory, Mendoza addressed the buzz around Soto’s comment, clarifying that the situation wasn’t as serious as it appeared. He said they discussed the quote casually over lunch the next day.
“I wouldn’t say I had to sit down for a formal talk,” Mendoza said. “It happened naturally. We were just having lunch the next day, and I told him, ‘Hey man, you answered the question from the heart, and suddenly it’s a headline.’”
Mendoza emphasized that Soto was simply being honest when asked if pitchers are approaching him differently, and his answer—“Yeah, everyone knows it”—got picked up quickly in the media. “That’s New York,” Mendoza added. “Even when it comes from a good place, it can turn into a big deal.”
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Mets’ Juan Soto said he had “the best hitter in baseball behind me”
Juan Soto is beginning to find his rhythm for the Mets after a slow start to the season, despite signing a massive $765 million contract over the winter. Over his first 25 games and 90 plate appearances, he’s batting .233 with three home runs, 12 RBIs, and a .753 OPS. Speaking to the New York Post on April 14, Soto pointed to the difference in his protection in the lineup, saying, “I had the best hitter in baseball hitting behind me” in reference to Aaron Judge.
Soto explained that pitchers are approaching him differently now compared to last season. “It’s definitely a change,” he said. “With Judge hitting behind me, I saw more pitches in the strike zone and fewer intentional walks. That’s not the case this year.”
As Soto continues to adjust to his new role in the Mets’ lineup, New York will kick off a four-game series against the Washington Nationals on Friday night. The Mets currently sit atop the NL East with an impressive 18-7 record.
