Juan Soto’s super-agent, Scott Boras, saw something not many did. When the player inked that jaw-dropping deal with the New York Mets, Boras, who has navigated more star transitions than most agents could dream of, tried to give Soto a dose of reality. “I cautioned Juan,” he revealed a week ago, pointing to the pressure that comes with signing the biggest contract in sports history.

A 90-day assimilation period with the new team sounded great, but fans expected him to start showering them with home runs and the signature Soto shuffle the moment he stepped on the field wearing orange and blue. So, through the 55 games he has played, the eight home runs and 25 RBIs seem like nothing. He has an OPS of .745, and Soto himself has admitted that he has been struggling.

Last week, he stated: “It’s not easy at all. It’s a new team, and after you make a commitment for this long, it takes your time.” And just when critics have started circling, calling Soto out for his lack of hustle and saying he is no Barry Bonds, someone came to his rescue.

Yes, it is David Ortiz, aka Big Papi. He was on ‘El Mañanero Radio’ where he made it clear that Soto’s performance was not the issue. The real problem was the big expectations people have. “People think Juan Soto was paid to do what Barry Bonds did,” Ortiz began. “Soto was paid to do what he actually does: hit 30 home runs, drive in between 90 and 100 runs, bat .280-.290, and have a good OBP... Bonds was an anomaly, a statistical phenomenon. Soto is a great player, cerebral, consistent, with a career already marked by success in three different franchises.” 

Ortiz believes the numbers and consistency will come soon. “We are not talking about the best player in MLB or the most complete, but he is a very good player. And at the end of the season, the numbers he usually has, they will be there. People expect that every time he stands at the plate, he does what Barry Bonds did, and he has never been Barry Bonds.”

Well, Soto is elite in his lane. Let’s not forget he has delivered for three teams and even took the New York Yankees, who were in a championship drought from 2009, to the World Series. Plus, he is just 26! Sure, the numbers might not be there right now, but Soto is definitely heating up. Maybe it’s a calm before the storm.

Juan Soto’s rough luck continues in wild Mets moment!

Now, the weight of expectations was always going to be sky-high. However, it seems like this time around, Juan Soto doesn’t have the luck element with him. The perfect example is just the recent Tuesday’s game against the White Sox.

With Brandon Nimmo on first, Soto ripped a ball into right center that looked like a guaranteed double. But Michael A. Taylor trapped the ball off a short hop! Nimmo, then thinking it was caught, made his way to first, and then he and Soto were both on the way to collide.

It was complete chaos, and Soto then veered off to the grass. The umpires ruled he had passed Nimmo, and just like that, the $765 million man was called out. What could have been a solid hit turned into a second out. Bad luck? Seems like it for sure.

Even Nimmo, after the game, said he never saw the umpire’s signal. “It’s just one of those plays that’s kind of unfortunate.” The safe signal, which indicated that the ball hit the ground, had come from the first base umpire, Tom Hanahan, but Nimmo was not in a position to see it.

Soto then finished the night 0 for 4 and is now batting .228, well below his career average.

For now, though, Mets slugger Pete Alonso is keeping things moving and managed a two-run homer after that confusing mishap. Jared Young also added another blast, and the Mets won 6-4. While they won the game on Tuesday, Wednesday was not so much in their favor. And amid this turmoil, all eyes remain on Soto.

When do you think Juan Soto will have his ‘aha’ moment? The comment box is open for you…