What is going on with Juan Soto? MLB’s highest-paid player has lost his bat speed and is in the middle of his first-ever 10-game span with no extra base hits and 12 strikeouts. In his 49 games with the Mets, he is slashing .243/.374/.429—simply not on the same level that fans are accustomed to seeing him play. These stats and his despondent body language have led to a lack of explosiveness at the plate.

With all these came a lot of theories. One of them is that the player is simply unhappy about not being a Yankee anymore, but his agent, Scott Boras, has a different point of view. He believes the title of being the ‘highest paid’ player comes with intense pressure, scrutiny, and expectations. “I cautioned Juan about it. This 90-day period of assimilation, I’ve seen it time and time again,” Boras said a day ago, and also shared how the player had 30 more days to get accustomed to his new team. However, it doesn’t look like public scrutiny will stop anytime soon. It was at its all-time high when the player returned to the Yankee Stadium. As he jogged out of the box, fans from the stands proceeded to boo him.

“I think so,” Soto opened up when a reporter later questioned him if that was the worst he had ever been booed. Yet, that game was a “catharsis” for him because he got to speak to his former teammates. But the player’s apparent discomfort didn’t end here. During the Mets’ recent matchup against the Red Sox, a moment in the dugout caught the eyes of fans and analysts alike. Obviously not for the right reasons. It took place after Francisco Lindor launched a home run and returned to the dugout to celebrate with his teammates, but Soto, who gave the player a fist bump, didn’t look happy.

Hence, MLB insider Mike Rodriguez took to X and wrote: “You are not the same, #JuanSoto. Whatever challenge you are facing, remember that you have a country, the Dominican Republic, that supports you. Every day, we send those positive vibes, hoping to see your game shine again. Honestly, I’m not worried about your hitting. We know you are a real beast; you have proven your talent against the most fearsome pitchers and in the most challenging moments, without a doubt. What concerns me is your body language.

“There is a different aura around you, a demeanor that you have never shown before. I sincerely hope that whatever is bothering you dissolves soon and that you return to give us those moments of magic that only you know how to create. Sending you a big hug, #JuanSoto. We are here with you, always.”

Yes, Soto did raise his hand for a fist bump, but to fans, it looked like a lukewarm gesture of acknowledgment. Head down, detached, almost distant. So, for a player known for his charisma and clubhouse presence, the moment felt jarring. The brief clip quickly made its rounds on social media, prompting speculation. Was there something deeper brewing between Soto and Lindor? Or perhaps with the Mets organization as a whole?

Now, if the dugout moment raised eyebrows, Soto’s performance at the plate only added fuel to the fire. His latest duel with Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet was anything but competitive. It’s stirring even more concern among Mets faithful. For the unversed, in his first at-bat, Soto went down on three straight pitches without lifting the bat off his shoulder. Yes, if you have missed the show, there’s no swing, no fight, just a quiet walk back to the dugout!

Hence, whatever the reason, the optics aren’t great. For a team fighting to stay afloat in a competitive division, the last thing the Mets need is uncertainty surrounding one of their biggest stars.

Francisco Lindor might be the best way out for Juan Soto!

Yes, the man with whom Soto just showed his cold arm might be the perfect choice for a way out.

Currently, Juan Soto is hitting just .243, with 8 HRs and 21 RBIs. Now, these numbers certainly fall short of what fans expect from the 26-year-old superstar. But it’s important to remember that Soto is not the first player to face growing pains after joining a new team. Moreover, he’s not even the first Met to endure this kind of adjustment period.

For starters, Lindor experienced similar struggles when he first donned the orange and blue. His debut season with the Mets was rocky, marked by underwhelming performance and vocal disapproval from fans.

Furthermore, in 2021, Lindor hit only .230 with 63 RBIs, which was a far cry from the production he was known for in Cleveland. He was even met with boos from the Citi Field crowd when he didn’t meet expectations, similar to what Soto is currently going through.

But Lindor turned things around. Fast forward to 2025, and he’s being touted as the potential team captain: A testament to the leadership and consistency he’s shown in recent seasons. Hence, there’s every reason to believe that Soto can do the same. If you know Soto’s track record, you know it speaks for itself. What do you think?