The first sight of Juan Soto in a Mets uniform during spring training felt like a scene out of a baseball fairy tale. Cameras clicked, heads turned, and all eyes were on the 25-year-old slugger as he strolled toward the batting cage. "It's exciting, we know," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza admitted. "You could see it, all the people, there's a lot more cameras, just as soon as he stepped on the field... with all the boys that were there, just kinda like, head turned around, and it's like, okay, here he is."
And here he is indeed. After a whirlwind offseason, Soto, the newest jewel in the Mets' crown, is finally donning the orange and blue, taking his hacks under the Florida sun. Mendoza, who has seen New York baseball from both boroughs, knows the pressure Soto faces. "He knows what the attention feels like, he knows the pressure," Mendoza said, adding that his experience with the Yankees and a World Series title already under his belt will serve him well. "You could talk about expectations, you could talk about all the media coverage, and there's more people, and they care. Fans care. Whether you're on one side or the other, in New York, they care, they're passionate, and they're gonna let you know. And he understands that."
Of course, the big question on everyone's mind is where Soto will hit in the lineup. Mendoza laughed off the speculation, noting that it's still early in camp. "I started that conversation today, actually, but again, it's what, March? I mean, February, something still, we're still weeks away. We'll see, I mean, we gotta get healthy. I mean, we gotta get through spring training healthy, and then before we start having those real conversations. But he's willing to do whatever. Whatever I need him, right away, he said it."
Beyond his bat, the Mets see room for growth in Soto’s game, particularly on defense and base running. Mendoza acknowledged the strides Soto made last year but sees more potential. "Whether the jumps, which he got better last year, he did a good job with his jump. The routes, whether it's the deeper route, might be something that he's in there. We haven't had that conversation with him yet. We have a plan in place. Antoine [Richardson] will have a sit-down, but we also wanna hear from him."
Soto has also set his sights on a Gold Glove, something that seemed about as likely as Citi Field offering free Shake Shack burgers on Opening Day. But Mendoza isn’t laughing. "Yeah, everything is realistic. He's a good player that is committed, and wants to work, wants to get better. So yeah, I like that, the fact that he's coming in with a mindset that I wanna be the best."
Despite his age, Soto brings an air of confidence and leadership that has already impressed Mendoza. "He's just a humble guy... the messaging is, yes, there's gonna be more people, there's more expectations now, but at the end of the day, you just gotta be yourself. Go out there, compete, play the game, have fun. He's gonna struggle, he's not perfect, he's human. And there's also a transition period."
And while the transition to a new team and new clubhouse can take time, Mendoza is confident that by Opening Day, Soto will feel right at home. "He's been through it before, and the one thing we do well here is that room is very tight, is very connected, and he's gonna take time? Sure, he's gonna take time. I need to build that relationship with him, but I think by the time we break camp, he'll feel a lot better."
For now, Mets fans can relish the sight of Soto launching moonshots in Port St. Lucie, dreaming of what’s to come. It’s spring, hope is in the air, and Juan Soto is in a Mets uniform. And if that doesn’t get you excited, check your pulse.
Here is the full press conference :
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