Mets sympathize with Juan Soto as $765 million man’s gaffes pile up

BOSTON — What if anything was said to Juan Soto by his manager after the star right fielder’s latest bad look running the bases remained classified on Tuesday. 

But Carlos Mendoza stood by his player, a night after Soto was slow departing the batter’s box and watched a ball he thought he had struck for a home run hit off the Green Monster.

Soto was limited to a single. 

“The one thing I will tell you is that as a manager my job is to continue to coach him, continue to support him, continue to teach him,” Mendoza said before the Mets faced the Red Sox at Fenway Park. 

Soto was unavailable for comment before the game. A night earlier he characterized his approach as “hustling very hard.” 

Monday’s gaffe by Soto piggybacked his slow jog to first base the previous night on a grounder. The ball was bobbled and by the time Soto restarted it was too late for him to beat the throw. 

Soto took a .246/.376/.439 slash line with eight homers and 20 RBIs into play.

Those numbers would be good for most, but Soto also carries the weight of expectations from his record $765 million contract. 

“A lot of times their frustrations are going to get the best of them, especially a guy like that — he’s so talented and has had so much success early in his career. Right now he feels maybe he could do a little bit more for the team,” Mendoza said. “He’s part of it and that is part of the conversation here, understanding the personnel. But at the same time, a guy like him wants to be coached, wants to be challenged. That’s what makes him special.” 

Francisco Lindor, a de facto Mets captain, said he could relate to Soto’s misjudgment on the ball that hit the Green Monster and no words were needed spoken to Soto by him. 

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“I was in the same place as him, I thought it was a home run and after that it’s one of those like, don’t go to second base because you can get thrown out and they play the wall here very well,” Lindor said. “I think he’s been running the bases fine. It’s one of those where the ball didn’t go out, so people are going to talk about it. I think he’s in a good spot.” 

Soto also had a rough weekend in his return to Yankee Stadium — he was booed mercilessly by the fans and went 1-for-10 in a series in which the Mets lost two of three games. 

“When you sign that type of contract, there’s going to be more eyes on you and he knows that,” Mendoza said. “He knows that and he’s embraced that. This is nothing new. He’s always been a superstar. I think he’s comfortable. I think he’s just a good player, probably not getting the results he wants.” 

Lindor was asked about Soto’s comfort level with his new team. 

“To me he’s the same person he was in spring training,” Lindor said. “He’s quiet, he comes in, he works, he gives quality at-bats every day. I think we all go through a period where we try to get used to it and I am extremely proud of the way he’s handled everything. He’s done a good job.” 

Mendoza said he isn’t worried about Soto. 

“I do feel like he’s in a good place,” Mendoza said. “It’s about results too and I think there is a lot of noise here, but he’s going to be fine. He’s too good a player. We’ll be right there with him.”