In 2023, Juan Soto began his first season as a member of the New York Mets, a notable switch in the intense Subway Series rivalry that pits the Mets against the Yankees. This transition brought significant media attention and outside noise, with many stories swirling around Soto’s performance and adaptation. While some reports hit the mark, others missed—only Soto truly knows the full truth behind those headlines. The former New York Yankees and their fanbase found some comfort in the Mets’ struggles last season, despite Soto delivering a respectable personal performance.
The Mets stumbled late in the season and ultimately missed the postseason, whereas the Yankees fell to the Blue Jays during the American League Division Series. From an outsider’s perspective, the Yankees’ decision to move on from Soto and the Mets’ choice to reposition him to left field seemed to validate the Yankees’ stance, particularly with Soto’s defensive skills showing signs of decline. Still, this apparent advantage for the Yankees should not be viewed as final or absolute in the ongoing story of Soto’s career.
Why the Mets Are Unconcerned About Soto’s Defensive Decline
Since signing his 15-year contract with the Mets, Soto has been a quintessential team player. His willingness to adapt was evident when he agreed to move from right field to left field to make space for prospect Carson Benge, who possesses a strong arm suited for right field. Even Soto’s former Yankees teammates hold him in high regard, underscoring his leadership qualities and team-first mentality.
“If you want me to pitch, Mendy, I’ll pitch,”
Soto said, demonstrating his readiness to help the team in any capacity.
Last season, Soto’s defensive metrics from right field were below average, with a -12 Outs Above Average (OAA) and a 66th percentile arm strength ranking. This was inadequate at that position. However, the Mets hope that moving Soto to left field, which demands less defensively, will improve his overall contributions. In 2019, Soto earned a +5 OAA in left field, signaling a better defensive fit. Citi Field and most other Major League Baseball stadiums favor defense in right field more heavily, making left field a strategic position for Soto’s skills and arm strength.
“It just got to a point where it made more sense for us to go ahead and do it,”
said Mendoza regarding the positional shift.
Benge’s strong arm and experience playing right field in college made the decision practical. Unlike some players who resist moving from their established positions—such as Rafael Devers, who refused to shift from third base and was traded as a result—Soto’s leadership and commitment to winning helped smooth this transition.
Comparing Juan Soto to Cody Bellinger and Yankees’ Options
Cody Bellinger, playing for the Yankees last season, delivered strong defensive numbers in left field, ranking in the 93rd percentile for OAA and 91st for range. Despite Bellinger’s arm strength being modest, it still exceeded Soto’s figures. Yet, it is important to note that Bellinger is primarily suited for left field, whereas right field is currently occupied by Yankees star Aaron Judge, a more demanding position defensively. If Bellinger played right field, his defensive stats might not mirror his success in left.
Direct comparisons between Soto and other players are difficult because Soto’s offensive prowess largely compensates for any defensive shortcomings. Even in what was considered a down year in 2023, Soto posted a .263/.396/.525 slash line, demonstrating his persistent offensive value. Notably, he hit 43 home runs, drew 127 walks, and swiped a career-high 38 bases that season.
Bellinger, meanwhile, recorded a 5.1 bWAR in 2023, his second-best mark, only surpassed by his 2019 MVP season.
Soto’s consistency at the plate and his potential Hall of Fame trajectory position him as one of the era’s premier talents—often compared to legendary hitter Ted Williams. Even if Soto’s defensive skills in left field hover around league average, his overall contribution makes him indispensable. If Soto were still with the Yankees, fans would be vocally championing his abilities and impact on the team.
What This Means for the Yankees and Mets Moving Forward
Though the Yankees passed on a massive 15-year, $765 million offer to Soto, the Mets’ strategic repositioning and Soto’s resilience suggest the story is far from over. Soto’s acceptance of a new role and leadership within the Mets clubhouse challenge the perception that the Yankees have fully escaped the consequences of losing a player of his caliber. Meanwhile, the Mets continue to optimize around their young prospect Carson Benge and manage their roster to maximize offensive and defensive balance.
The continued development of Soto in left field will be a key storyline in the 2024 MLB season, as will the Yankees’ search for ways to replace his significant offensive production. The rivalry between these New York teams remains intense, and Soto’s ongoing Mets transition adds an intriguing chapter that fans and analysts alike will be watching closely.
