It’s almost June, and the $765 million man for the New York Mets, Juan Soto, is hitting like a waiver wire utility infielder.
The New York Post reports that after an 0-for-4 Wednesday afternoon, Soto saw his slash line drop to .202/.333/.404 in May, with his season OPS at .745.
“It takes time,” Soto said earlier to the Post. “It’s not that easy to adjust to a place. Definitely, some places are easier to adjust to than others.”
Mets fans have heard that before. And while Soto still has time to turn things around, scattered boos are starting to emerge after his failures at the plate.
Right now, given his salary and expectations, Soto is on a trajectory to top the all-time list of stars who came to New York with high hopes, only to fall off a cliff from their past performance.
That rogues gallery includes:
1. Jason Bay (2010–2012): Signed for four years and $66 million, he hit just 26 homers to go along with a .234 average.
2. Jed Lowrie (2019–2020): What does $20 million buy you? In Lowrie’s case, it was 8 at-bats with no hits and no runs scored. A knee injury was blamed, although the details are murky.
3. Kaz Matsui (2004–2006): A Japanese star, he was signed for three years at $20 million. He couldn’t hit and his fielding was terrible.
4.Roberto Alomar:(2002–2003): He was touted as a franchise savior upon his acquisition, but was a different player when he arrived, hitting just .265 with little power or speed.
5. Juan Samuel (1989): Acquired for Lenny Dykstra and Roger McDowell, he was a .228 hitter in his lone half-season and a favorite target of boo-birds.
6. Mo Vaughn (2002–2003): Big Mo got really BIG during his Mets tenure, leading to knee problems and other injuries. He hit .249 and his power was greatly diminished.
There are others whose names echo down the Mets Hall of Shame. Right now, they’re hoping Juan Soto doesn’t add his name to the list.