‘Something’s up’ with Juan Soto as Mets star’s struggles mount: Adam Ottavino

The narrative around Juan Soto’s happiness in Queens doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon, and it’s becoming harder to ignore, according to a former Mets and Yankees reliever. 

Adam Ottavino seemed to be joining the likes of Michael Kay and NJ.com’s Bob Klapisch in raising a red flag that “something’s up” with Soto. 

The Mets’ superstar, who inked a historic 15-year, $765 million deal in December, has faced increased speculation that he is unhappy with the Mets following a forgetful return to The Bronx over the weekend, and a series of instances where didn’t seem to be hustling out to of the batter’s box. 

Juan Soto of the New York Mets scores on a sacrifice fly hit by Mark Vientos (not pictured) during the fourth inning against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium on May 17, 2025. Getty Images

“I mean, you gotta bust it,” Ottavino said on MLB Network on Tuesday. “I think that goes without saying, especially, you’re trying to set the tone for the team. You’re considered a team leader when you’re making that kind of money and you’re that kind of player. And the reality is, I remember going to a Knicks game when I was a kid to watch Michael Jordan play. And I didn’t watch the game. I watched Michael Jordan the entire time.

“The eyeballs are similar on Juan Soto right now. People are going to the games, people are on TV, they’re watching him at all times. He’s got no breathing room to slack off at all. Nor should he? But he’s learned that lesson the hard way right now.”

Ottavino, who pitched for the Yankees in 2019 and 2020 with a brief second stint in The Bronx this year, and was with the Mets from 2022-24, then delved into the perception about Soto’s happiness with the Mets. 

“I resisted this narrative for a while, but the body language doctor and what I’ve been checking out, something’s up a little bit. Something’s up. His spirit’s not quite the same right now,” Ottavino said. 

Soto’s hustle has become a topic of conversation, with the Mets’ own TV broadcast team calling it out during Monday’s loss to the Red Sox. 

Mets pitcher Adam Ottavino reacts as he walks to the dugout during a 2024 game. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Soto told reporters after the game he had “been hustling very hard,” however, manager Carlos Mendoza seemed to contradict that during his postgame press conference. 

“We’ll talk to him about it,” Mendoza said. “Tonight, obviously, when someone gets a hold of [a pitch] and knows when he gets it, it’s Juan. He thought he had it, but with the wind … but in this ballpark and anywhere in particular, with that wall right there, you have got to get out of the box. So, yeah, we’ll discuss that.”