Ever since Juan Soto switched his base from the Bronx to Queens, the New York Mets slugger has been “very glum in the clubhouse.” Soto did not have a massive contract during his time wearing pinstripes, but every time he would appear on the plate, it would feel like the Dominican Republic slugger and Yankees were meant to be together. And after what went down during the Subway Series in the Bronx, perhaps, Soto has realized this sentiment, too.

The 26-year-old was already having an average season with just eight homers and an OPS of .770, but with just one hit in the entire series, he could not have picked a worse time to hit his slump. Many still believe its just a phase that Soto will recover in no time, but Bob Klapesch of NJ Advance Media thinks that “not only does Soto miss the Yankees, but the permanence of his decision is sinking in. Soto is staring at another 14-plus years in Flushing.”

However, among all the noise from outside and the expert opinions, the Mets’ clubhouse has a different version of the Soto story: one of quiet resolve, as told by those who know Soto best. When asked about it, Starling Marte gave a sneak peek into the mindset of Soto.

“He’s a guy who doesn’t pay much attention to what’s said in the media. He focuses on being better every day and works really hard.” “He spends a lot of time in the cages — almost every day. He’s starting to feel better with each passing day,” Marte told NJ Advance Media at his locker in the Mets’ clubhouse on Monday.

Not only Marte but the entire Mets camp has faith in Soto, and they all stand on the same page. Marte further added, “Everybody knows the caliber of player he is. So, keep working hard because he’s hitting the ball really hard, and they’re just not falling. But when they do start to fall, everyone will see how great he is. And he’ll start to feel better.” 

Per his teammates, Soto is still doing all the hard work, but he has just been “unlucky” lately. In the past, too, from Mendoza to Lindor, everyone has expressed belief in Soto’s hitting capabilities. And as per a former Yankee, Soto is just one step away from hitting his prime at CitiField.

How long till Juan Soto gets his ‘swagger’ back?

Soto’s deal with the Mets naturally raised expectations to the highest level. Fans were expecting the same exciting performances that had become his trademark while he was with the Yankees. But things have been a mixed bag. He is not even close to his Yankees’ version in 2024, when he hit a career-high 41 home runs and had a career-high slugging percentage of .569, and an OPS of .988.

One MLB legend who perhaps knows how switching from one New York team to another affects your performance believes that Soto lost his touch ever since he started wearing blue and orange.

David Cone, the former Yankees and Mets pitcher, said that even though it’s been a while since Soto arrived in Queens, he is yet to connect his emotional self with the Mets. “Bottom line is, Juan Soto’s got to feel it emotionally. And until he does, we’re not going to see the same old swagger that we’re used to seeing from him,” Cone said.

Well, Soto’s recent games against the Dodgers and White Sox have shown he can bounce back and come through on big occasions. The Mets outfielder ended a protracted slump with a big two-run double in the fourth inning of the May 24 game against the Dodgers. That turned a 2-2 tie into a 4-2 advantage.

That hit was his first extra-base hit since May 9, which greatly helped his confidence and the team’s morale. Before this game, Soto had only hit .125 with two RBIs in his last 11 games. The Dominican Republic star continued his rhythm by hitting a sacrifice fly that tied the game in the eighth inning of the May 26 game against the White Sox. The Mets had a hard time scoring runs, as they got only two baserunners in the first six innings. Soto’s crucial hit set up a ninth-inning rally that ended with the Mets winning 2-1.

Soto’s recent contributions have been very important to the Mets’ success. The team’s hopes now depend on how well he keeps playing as the season progresses.