3 things the NY Mets need from Juan Soto if he’s going to compete for the MVP
Winning MVP in any sport is rarely straightforward. Baseball is one in every of the few to crown two winners, one for every league, however even then the competitors is steep. The National League is particularly tough given the presence of Shohei Ohtani and since he will not decelerate for a number of extra years, the requirements have by no means been larger. If there’s any New York Mets participant with the pedigree to dethrone him, it is Juan Soto.
Even for a generational expertise like Soto, it is a tall activity. He has been a top-five MVP candidate 4 occasions in his eight-year profession however has by no means carried out sufficient to take dwelling the prize. He’s nonetheless projected to have another outstanding year however if he desires to lastly carry dwelling the {hardware}, listed below are a number of things that ought to be on his to-do listing.
Three musts for an MVP season out of Juan Soto
1. Improve outfield protection
Juan Soto has by no means actually been a superb defender. The final time I posted a Defensive Runs Saved determine above common was in 2021. In the 4 seasons since, he’s racked up -14. After signing a record-breaking deal in free company, many argued that it was an overpay as a result of he’d turn out to be a delegated hitter sooner somewhat than later. It’s not what he would prefer however a number of extra seasons of poor fielding contributions may pressure the Mets’ hand.
If he enjoys enjoying the area as a lot as he does, then it would not damage to begin turning things round defensively. Although it is a completely different metric from DRS completely, his Outs Above Average factors to the greatest weak spot in his recreation which is a scarcity of vary. His -12 OAA in 2025 landed him in the 1st percentile of certified gamers. He would not need to be Steven Kwan or Alex Gordon however getting a league-average defensively can be an enormous raise to his MVP candidacy.
2. Go for 50/50
Baseball loves arbitrary milestones. When Ronald Acuña Jr. obtained all 30 first-place votes for the 2023 MVP award, his 40/70 milestone was a significant storyline. Mookie Betts really edged him out barely in rWAR however his case was far too nuanced to overpower Acuña’s unprecedented statistical success.
Juan Soto wasn’t too far off a significant milestone of his personal. He hit 43 dwelling runs and stole 38 baggage, each of which have been profession bests. The surge in exercise on the basepaths was significantly shocking since he hadn’t stolen greater than 12 baggage in any prior season. There’s an opportunity that he’ll cut back on the stolen bases in 2026 however reaching a threshold like 50/50 could also be too spectacular for MVP voters to vote in opposition to.
3. Continue serving as the Mets’ energy generator
Last season, Soto simply barely edged out Pete Alonso to lead the staff in slugging share (.525). Now that Alonso is gone and Francisco Lindor should still carry lingering effects from his hamate injurySoto’s energy contributions will matter much more.
In 2025, the Mets had a mixed slugging share of .427, eighth in MLB. It was an enormous a part of their lineup’s success however there aren’t as many energy bats in the lineup this yr. The staff may even see a slight enhance from having Bo Bichette in the infield however with an atypical first baseman in Jorge Polanco, Soto may have to bear the burden of being the staff’s major slugger as soon as extra.
