With the Philadelphia Phillies taking advantage of the New York Mets' recent slide to take control of the National League East, it is open season on the division rival. No move can catch more heat right now than the team's offseason signing of Juan Soto. With the understanding that the Mets paid Soto $765 million over 15 years. If there is ever a deal that sets itself up for regret, it is the one Soto signed in New York.
Already, the team is dealing with middling production, Soto is hitting .243, and has offered eight homers well into the season. Not exactly the star offensive force the Mets were expecting. The story got slightly more amusing for Philly fans this past weekend with backup Brandon Nimmo replacing Juan Soto on the Sunday Night Baseball broadcast. It was expected to be the New York star offseason addition in this role. Opting not to take part in the broadcast's weekly feature is yet another amusing turn for Philly fans.
Mets Have Reason to Instantly Regret Clear Overpay for Juan Soto
It is an amusing addition to Soto's underwhelming start as the Mets continue to fall back in the National League East race. If this level of struggles continues, it wouldn't be surprising to see not only the Phillies pass the Mets but an increasingly healthy Braves team as well.
Philly fans should enjoy Soto's struggles while they last, with it likely a breakout stretch is coming. Even when this does happen, however, there is no covering up the fact that the Mets overpaid for one piece at the expense of depth. Both Atlanta and Philly have superior depth and reason to believe they can sustain a long run in the 2025 season.
For New York, this is the price you pay when you hitch your future to the star power of one player. Philly didn't do this with Trae Turner or Bryce Harper, continuing to pay its stars and look to add depth at needed positions. This has shown up in the 2025 season in a myriad of ways, including the rotation. It has been able to survive Aaron Nola's implosion based on rotational depth.
An advantage the Mets opted to forgo in favor of paying one player top market value. Aiding Philly in taking over a division they have owned for the last year and giving the franchise a chance for continued dominance.