Citi Field has felt like a playoff venue all season, with New York Mets fans consistently filling the stands to watch their team sit atop the NL East. The driving force behind the packed ballpark? The major offseason acquisition of Juan Soto, which sent ticket sales soaring.
This season could have revolved around Soto. Given his star power and salary, every Mets game might have turned into a running commentary on his performance. But that’s not how things have played out. Despite being the team’s most expensive player, Soto hasn’t dominated the narrative — and that’s a testament to just how multifaceted this Mets squad really is.
This isn’t a one-man show. Soto is still doing damage at the plate — launching missiles that often end up in gloves, not seats. Case in point: Victor Scott II robbed him of a three-run homer in dramatic fashion during a recent doubleheader. Earlier in the day, Soto crushed one that would’ve been a homer in Yankee Stadium — only to see it fall short.
He’s been hitting the ball hard, but the results haven’t always followed. His batting average on balls in play sits at .274 — around 30 points below his career average — showing that he’s been a bit unlucky despite quality contact.
But if not Soto, what defines this Mets team in 2025?
While Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor are having MVP-caliber seasons, especially Alonso, they aren’t the ones pulling the spotlight from Soto. Instead, it’s the Mets’ pitching that has become the main attraction. Despite some recent struggles, the rotation has far exceeded expectations. Kodai Senga boasts a 1.38 ERA, Tylor Megill continues to prove he belongs, and offseason pickup Griffin Canning looks like a steal. Even David Peterson, with a team-worst (yet solid) 3.06 ERA, has improved his control significantly — now walking only 2.5 batters per nine innings.
The bullpen has been just as impressive. Max Kranick has become a fan favorite, Huascar Brazoban is thriving in a multi-inning role, and Reed Garrett continues to shine. In a sport where bullpens can determine a team’s fate, the Mets’ relief corps is firmly in the “make” column.
Sure, Soto is the guy fans in opposing stadiums love to boo — and plenty of people are buying tickets to see him. But for now, he’s just one part of a larger, more compelling story.
That’s exactly what you’d expect from a team built by David Stearns. Known for his sharp eye and attention to detail, Stearns has made a noticeable impact in his first full year shaping this roster. Yes, he now has access to stars he never could have dreamed of acquiring in Milwaukee — but it’s his smart, under-the-radar pitching moves that are driving belief in this Mets team, even after a tough doubleheader sweep at the hands of the Cardinals.