NY Mets owner Steve Cohen sends clear message on Juan Soto’s early season struggles

Steve Cohen, the main figure behind the New York Mets’ multimillion-dollar investment in the prodigious talent of Juan Soto, approached the start of the Dominican slugger’s season with remarkable composure. Following the signing of the most lucrative contract in sports history—a 15-year, $765 million deal—the baseball world expected immediate and sustained production. Soto’s arrival was meant to anchor the Mets’ lineup and put him in the MVP conversation for the next decade.

However, the early weeks of the 2025 campaign have painted a more measured picture. After the Mets’ emphatic 19-6 victory over the Washington Nationals on April 28, Juan Soto was batting .257/.358/.435 with three home runs and twelve RBIs. Though solid, these numbers fall short of his usual standard and the lofty expectations of the passionate Queens fanbase.

Paradoxically, the individual with the most invested—financially and symbolically—in Soto’s success, Steve Cohen, displayed commendable serenity when addressing the outfielder’s performance. Rather than sounding the alarm, Cohen offered a thoughtful assessment during his April 28 appearance on a prominent baseball podcast.

Cohen emphasizes Soto’s subtle contributions

“If you ask him, he’d probably say it’s not going as what he hoped. That’s not what the back of his baseball card would say,” Cohen acknowledged. “But saying that, there’s a lot of subtle things that he does that I really think matters. The way that he works the count, makes pitchers throw extra pitches, really matters.”

Steve Cohen, Owner of the New York Mets shakes hands with Juan Soto during his introductory press conference at Citi Field on December 12, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

The Mets owner elaborated on Soto’s less visible but still impactful contributions to the team’s offensive strategy. “Then he gets on base, and Pete can drive him in. And so Pete is seeing better pitches. It’s very subtle how that works, and you can’t just look at it in a very narrow sense,” he explained, emphasizing his broader perspective on a player’s value.

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Cohen’s comments reflected a deliberate effort to reframe expectations around Soto, not as an immediate savior but as a strategic piece whose influence extends beyond batting average and home runs.

Cohen’s message: Confidence in the long-term payoff

With unwavering trust in his marquee player’s abilities, Steve Cohen concluded: “And saying that, I’m not worried about Juan. He’s singularly focused on baseball. He’s a pure hitter. Let’s have this discussion at the end of the year.” His closing remark conveyed patience and foresight—hallmarks of long-term investment rather than reactionary thinking.

As the MLB season progresses, all eyes will remain on Soto. Yet Cohen’s composed tone serves as a reminder that the true measure of such a historic contract lies in its enduring impact, not just in April’s stat lines.