It was supposed to be a coronation, not a conversation. When Juan Soto inked his record-setting $765 million deal with the Mets this past December, the narrative felt inevitable: Citi Field would become his stage, and October, his proving ground. Fans envisioned towering homers and swaggering walks to first. But as summer creeps in, the buzz around Soto has grown less electric, more uncertain. Not panicked, but puzzled.

Because this isn’t the Soto everyone remembers. Not the .288 hitter who blasted 41 home runs, drove in 109 runs, and led the Yankees to the World Series in 2024. Through 55 games in 2025, Soto’s hitting just .224 with eight homers and 25 RBIs. His OPS? Down from a stellar .989 to a middling .745. For a player carrying the richest contract in MLB history, these numbers hit harder than any fastball. But amid the noise, the voices that matter most haven’t lost faith.

First came David Ortiz, never one to hold back, always loyal to his Dominican roots. “He’s still that guy,” Ortiz said recently, calling for patience. Days later, Pedro Martínez. The Hall of Famer and fellow Dominican didn’t mince words when asked about Soto’s early struggles. “I don’t worry about what’s going on with him,” Pedro said. “He will find his way to do exactly what Soto does in the game.” That sounded like trust, plain and confidence. Martínez was reminding everyone what the 25-year-old is capable of.

Interestingly, that faith echoes what Mets owner Steve Cohen said back in April, when whispers of underperformance first began swirling. “I’m not worried about Soto,” Cohen stated. “He’s a professional, and he’ll adjust. It’s a long season.” That long view matters. With over 100 games left, Soto has time and the backing of some of the most influential names in the sport.

And yet, the pressure is real. The New York spotlight doesn’t dim for anyone. Yankees legend Derek Jeter once said, “You can’t play in our sport, and especially in New York, if you’re not mentally strong.” That truth hangs over Soto now, especially as fans at Citi Field grow restless. From boos to basepath blunders, the scrutiny has intensified. Still, Martínez sees what most don’t: the signs beneath the slump. Soto is hitting into hard luck, exit velocities north of 99 mph that somehow find gloves. His advanced metrics suggest the swing is still there. The results just haven’t followed. Yet.

So the story isn’t written. Not yet. The legends believe. The owner believes. Now it’s on Soto to believe, too. Because the pressure may be mounting, but so is the stage. And for Soto, greatness might just be one swing away.

Silent swings in Queens: Juan Soto’s struggles hit home

Juan Soto was brought to Queens to change the Mets’ identity, not to become the face of their frustrations. But lately, those swings have produced more silence than sparks. At Citi Field, where anticipation once buzzed with every Soto at-bat, the mood has shifted. The roar has faded into murmurs, and on some days, into scattered boos. The $765 million man is in a slump, and Queens is watching it unfold with uneasy eyes.

Soto went 0-for-4 in the Mets’ 9-4 loss to the White Sox last Wednesday, continuing a brutal stretch that’s seen him go hitless in 16 straight at-bats. Even his last standout moment, a two-run double off the Dodgers on Saturday, feels like a distant memory. On Tuesday, his luck got even worse: he lost a hit in a bizarre play after passing Brandon Nimmo on the basepaths. When you’re cold, baseball has a way of piling on, and Soto seems to be wearing every bit of it.

Yet Mets manager Carlos Mendoza isn’t hitting the panic button just yet. He’s staying optimistic, pointing to what he sees beyond the box score. “Today was one of those days where he (Juan Soto) didn’t hit the ball hard, but I thought his foundation, his lower half, was in a better position,” Mendoza said after Wednesday’s game. Earlier, he had doubled down on that trust: “He passes the eye test.” In short, Mendoza believes the swing is fine, the results are just lagging.

But as the slump deepens and Citi Field grows restless, it’s becoming harder for fans to squint and see what Mendoza does.