The bright lights of New York City can make stars shine even more brightly, or can reveal every flaw. When Juan Soto signed his massive $765 million deal with the Mets, Queens expected instant magic. Yet, the early days of this mega-contract have been more a topic of intense debate. The world of sports radio, with its never-ending hot takes, has begun to whisper about whether the superstar outfielder was actually feeling at home yet in his new borough. This speculation raises the stakes for the already nail-biting thriller.

Soto’s 2025 season start with the Mets has been a mixed bag, relatively speaking. Through early May, in 37 games, the generational talent posted a .254 batting average, with 5 home runs and 14 RBIs, while his OPS stood at .817. Those are perfectly fine numbers for most players, but they’re incredibly underwhelming for Soto, especially given his career .284 average and a much better .947 OPS entering the season. This small downturn has fueled discussions about his adjustment to Queens.

Now, MLB insider Keith McPherson, speaking on WFAN Sports Radio, has thrown a verbal bomb into the mix. McPherson boldly stated, “There is enough evidence to say ‘MAYBE JUAN SOTO ISN’T HAPPY AS A METS’.” He previously highlighted Soto’s use of “they” instead of “we” when discussing the team, a common media talking point. Such statements from an insider are obvious to make waves, fueling the narrative of a potentially unsettled superstar.

But the man himself, Juan Soto, has repeatedly pushed back against any notion of unhappiness or pressure. “I’m really happy to know where I’m going to be for the next 15 years,” Soto declared at his introductory press conference. He emphasized, “It’s gonna be my home.” When asked about the New York pressure after his first Mets homer, he simply replied, “No,” indicating he did not feel it.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza has also consistently backed his star outfielder, directly contradicting any whispers of trouble. “I didn’t think [the adjustment] was going to be this quick,” Mendoza said in March, praising how Soto “fit right in.” He described the slugger as “very humble and very open.” After Soto’s two-homer game on May 1st, Mendoza also publicly recognized the slugger. This solid backing from the manager is indeed different from the image of an unhappy player.

And with that, Soto seems to find his way for his bat to do the talking…

Soto’s recent hot streak: A sign of things to come?

After a rough start in March and April, when his average hovered around .233, Soto is showing clear signs of heating up. And he has been a different player since early May. He hit his first two home runs at Citi Field around May 1. Then, on May 5, he smoked a double with an exit velocity of 110.6 mph. This recent surge, where he’s hit closer to .297, suggests the superstar is finding his groove and silencing critics with his powerful bat.

New York has a rich history of superstars facing immense pressure, especially after signing massive contracts or making cross-town moves. Carlos Beltran had signed for $119 million with the Mets and got off to a slow start, hearing boos. However, he rebounded magnificently and hit 41 homers, becoming a Mets legend.

It’s not only a lone incident. Remember the case of Alex Roriguez? His arrival with the Yankees involved a $252 million contract and a position change, attracting extreme scrutiny. But despite the controversies, A-Rod delivered two MVP awards and a World Series title in pinstripes. Jason Giambi also faced the “Yankee Fishbowl” with a $120 million deal, adapting his personality and overcoming a steroid scandal to remain a formidable power hitter.

These prove that thriving under New York’s bright lights, even with initial turbulence, is achievable with elite talent.

While Soto’s recent performance is growing solid, it is still below his tremendous 2024 campaign with the Yankees (41 HR, 109 RBI). The Mets, currently boasting a solid 23-14 record and leading the NL East, are relying on him to reach those elite levels consistently. So while Soto continues to settle in, the thought lingers: Can he unleash his generational talent and carry the Mets to their ultimate goal?