Juan Soto arrived at Mets camp yesterday with a $765 million smile and a brand-new glove. Yet the biggest headline out of Grapefruit League media day wasn’t his historic contract or last season’s 43 homers—it was that the generational slugger will play Left Field full-time in 2026.
Mets President David Stearns framed the move as an “organic transition” tied to Soto’s upcoming World Baseball Classic run with the Dominican Republic. Let’s call it what it really is: a calculated effort to hide a defensive liability.
The “Soto Shuffle” Heads To Left Field
Soto’s bat is undeniably Hall-of-Fame caliber, but his 2025 defensive metrics were, bluntly, a disaster. Despite swiping a career-high 38 bases, his outfield instincts lagged behind.
| Metric (2025) | Value | MLB Outfield Rank |
| Outs Above Average (OAA) | -12 | Tied for Worst (with Nick Castellanos) |
| Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) | -7 | Bottom 10% |
| Fielding Run Value | -13 | Worst among everyday Right Fielders |
Moving a star from Right to Left Field is the classic MLB “hide-him” play.
The catch? Soto hasn’t logged meaningful innings in Left since 2023 in San Diego, where he looked equally uncomfortable.
The Mets aren’t just adjusting positions. They’re effectively turning their $51 million-a-year superstar into a designated hitter with occasional glove work.
Domino Effect: A Roster Under Pressure
Stearns claims the move “opens up roster flexibility,” but the reality may be the opposite.
The Carson Benge Pressure Cooker
Right Field now belongs to Mets No. 2 prospect Carson Benge. He has the arm and pedigree, but forcing a rookie into a “save-the-defense” role during a win-now season is a major gamble.
Infield Crunch
With Bo Bichette and Marcus Semien squeezing the middle infield—and Francisco Lindor facing possible hamate bone surgery—the Mets’ defensive floor is taking a hit.
DH Logjam
If Soto struggles in LF, which, given his -12 OAA, seems likely, the Mets will have $765 million tied up in a player who must DH. That limits rotation flexibility and reduces rest options for aging vets or Lindor.
The $765 Million Question
Steve Cohen didn’t want to spend big to land a Gold Glover. But in a division where the Phillies and Braves exploit every marginal run, a defensive black hole in Left Field may be a luxury the Mets can’t afford, especially with manager Carlos Mendoza beginning the season on the hot seat.
Soto told reporters yesterday, “I’m comfortable everywhere. If Mendy wants me to pitch, I’ll pitch.”
Mets fans can only hope it doesn’t come to that. For now, they’re left with baseball’s most expensive experiment: a $765 million DH playing out of position, relying on luck as much as skill.
At this point, the Mets are just praying the ball doesn’t find him.
