Juan Soto belted two home runs—his first round-trippers as a New York Met at Citi Field—in the club's 4-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday. After the game, Soto was asked if the dingers "take any weight or pressure" off of him. The Mets slugger needed just two words to dismiss the notion.
"What pressure?" Soto asked.
"I don't have any pressure," Soto continued. "Mendoza [Mets manager Carlos Mendoza] has been really clear with me to make me feel comfortable going out there and playing. I don't have any pressure at all so, they're just two homers that weren't enough to get the win."
Juan Soto was asked if today's home runs take any weight or pressure off him:
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) May 1, 2025
"What pressure? I don't have any pressure." pic.twitter.com/q7IKwbxqzp
Soto in December of 2024 signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets. His career in Queens has gotten off to a bit of a slow start, as his .379 On-Base Percentage and .443 slugging percentage are well below his career marks.
Soto himself even admitted that hitting in the Mets lineup results in pitchers approaching him differently than when he was a member of the New York Yankees batting order. Faux controversy that ensued from his comments aside, Soto, in making such a remark, was acknowledging his early-season struggles.
But neither he nor the Mets have shown any signs of panic. Manager Carlos Mendoza has been insistent that Soto is turning the corner. Mets owner Steve Cohen, the man who cut the check for Soto's historic contract, is "not worried" about the four-time All-Star, pointing out the subtle ways in which he impacts New York's batting order.
Given his track record and the support he has within the Mets organization, it's no wonder that Soto himself says he isn't feeling pressure.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Juan Soto Dismisses Question About 'Pressure' With Two-Word Comment.
