Juan Soto’s debut season with the Mets can be deemed a triumph by any statistical analysis.
After making a sensational move from The Bronx to Queens with an unprecedented 15-year, $765 million contract, the star outfielder reached new heights in his career. Soto hit personal bests in several offensive metrics, including 43 home runs and 38 stolen bases, earning him third place in the National League MVP voting.
However, Soto didn’t start with a bang. By the close of April, he was batting at .241, with a mere three home runs and 12 RBIs, leaving Mets fans increasingly impatient.
During this challenging period, the 27-year-old Soto sought guidance from Carlos Beltran, a former outfielder who knew firsthand the pressure of a hefty contract in New York.
In an interview on “Siendo Honestos” with Katherine Hernandez, Soto shared, “He told me he faced a similar situation during his early days in New York.” Translated by The Post, Soto continued, “When everyone was criticizing him and the pressure was mounting, he began carrying a card listing his stats.
“Every glance at that card was a reminder of his true capabilities, not the narrative others were trying to impose. That small mental shift was crucial in helping him overcome his slump.”
“Every time he looked at it, he reminded himself: this is who I am as a player, not the version everyone else is trying to paint. That simple mental reset helped him break out of the slump.”
Beltran can relate to the pressures of a historic contract with the Mets better than most.
Fresh off a historic 2004 postseason in which he hit eight homers for the Astros, Beltran signed a then-Mets record seven-year, $119 million deal.
Despite making the All-Star team in 2005, Beltran set career lows in several major categories while battling injuries and one of the most gruesome on-field collisions in baseball history.
The following season, however, Beltran kicked off an elite three-year stretch, averaging 33 homers and 113 RBIs while winning three consecutive Gold Gloves.
While injuries hampered Beltran during his final years in Queens, he established himself as one of the most impactful players in franchise history.
The Mets did not have to wait until 2026 to see an elite version of Soto.
Despite the Amazin’s collapse that saw them miss the playoffs, Soto led the league in walks (127), on-base percentage (.396) and tied with Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz for the most stolen bases in the NL (38).
Soto became the first player in Mets history to record a season of at least 40 homers and at least 30 steals. He also joined Barry Bonds and Jeff Bagwell as the only players in MLB history with a season of at least 40 homers, 30 steals and 100 walks.
Soto finished third in NL MVP voting behind winner Shohei Ohtani and runner-up Kyle Schwarber.
Beltran — now an assistant to Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns — marveled to The Post in May about Soto as he made his highly anticipated Yankee Stadium return.
“No one wants to be booed,” Beltran said. “But this was expected. This is a guy that last year did an incredible job for the Yankees. He was an asset for the organization. As a free agent, he signed with the Mets. I feel he was even expecting it himself.
“I think Soto did a great job.”
In the midst of a transformative offseason that saw mainstays Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz leave in free agency and fellow cornerstones Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil traded, Soto — alongside Francisco Lindor — will play a crucial role in the Mets’ success next season.
And even when he struggles, Soto can tap into his memory bank and keep cashing in on Beltran’s advice.
“Looking back, I’d say that was the last piece of advice that truly made a difference for me,” Soto said.
