Since Juan Soto signed a massive 15-year, $765 million contract to join the New York Mets ahead of the 2025 season, fans have had sky-high expectations of the Dominican.
Despite a slow start to life in Queens, Soto eventually enjoyed a great season, finishing with a .263 batting average, 43 home runs, and 103 RBIs. Additionally, Soto finished the 2025 season with 38 stolen bases to his name, leaving him only two stolen bags short of the coveted 40-40 mark.
Heading into the 2026 season, fans will be hoping for more of the same from the slugger. On Monday’s episode of “Straight Outta Flushing,” analyst Ray Eckert backed Soto to put up a 40-40 season.
“I think Soto wants that 40-40 season he’s been chasing. I know (Antoan) Richardson departed, the first base coach, who had a big helping hand in him stealing a lot of bags, but I think Soto wants to prove there’s no coach in the world that makes him great. Another thing that can’t go understated is, regardless of how good a season Pete Alonso had last year, teams were still pitching around Juan Soto,” Eckert said (16:35).
“I actually think that’s going to happen less with Bo Bichette, because teams could still rely on Pete Alonso (to strike out), the high swing and miss rate, maybe not so much last year. He and Brandon Nimmo were doing that a lot, but that’s not going to happen with Bo Bichette. I expect big things from Juan Soto this year. What was he, two stolen bases short last year? And he had a terrible start. The comfortability of Bo Bichette hitting behind him, Palanco (too), and I’m telling you, Brett Baty is going to light it up this year. I’m expecting 40-40 from Juan Soto, absolutely,” he added.
New York Mets Manager Reveals Core Difference Between Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor
Appearing on January 26’s episode of “The Show,” Mets skipper Carlos Mendoza listed the major factors that separate Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor.
“You mentioned Lindor and Soto. Two very, very different guys, you know. Juan Soto is very business-like. He’s just a guy that comes in, he’s got his earpods on, he’s going through his process,” Mendoza said (28:10).
“Francisco Lindor is more outgoing. Like you guys see on the field, the big smile. That guy, whether we win or lose, is going to be the same guy. Obviously, they both care. They care about winning, they care about each other, they care about their teammates, but they’re two different personalities,” he added.
After the Mets failed to qualify for the postseason in 2025, Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor will look to help get their team back on track in 2026.
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