New York was abuzz when the Mets signed Juan Soto for 15 years and $765 million this past off-season.

Yankees fans were disappointed and angry that Soto not only shunned their team, but he chose the crosstown rival Mets instead.

Mets fans were elated. They got one of the best hitters in baseball and they beat out the Yankees. Mets owner Steve Cohen had taken over New York City from the Yankees. He had become the new George Steinbrenner (former Yankee owner), willing to put his money where his mouth is to get the players he wanted. He gave Soto the largest contract in baseball history.

But getting the player is only part of the victory. The players need to perform to justify and reinforce the “win.” So far, Soto is significantly underperforming his contract. He is being paid as the best hitter in baseball, and he certainly hasn’t been that so far.

Soto is hitting .243/.374/.429, which is well below his career averages of .284/.418/.527. He has eight home runs and 21 RBI. Those numbers aren’t horrible. In fact, his 131 OPS this season indicates he is 31 per cent better than the average hitter, but that is down from 179 OPS last season and 159 OPS in his career.

It’s not uncommon for a player to sign a massive contract and then struggle out of the gate with his new team. Players are human and sometimes try too hard if they believe the need to justify the magnitude of the deal they signed. Soto is clearly pressing and trying too hard.

At the........

© TSN