BALTIMORE — Juan Soto is already making greater than $100 million this season alone, however had he been named an All-Star, it may have been extra.
The Mets’ star proper fielder, the highest-paid participant in baseball and one of many sport’s greatest stars, was not chosen for the sport that showcases the league’s greatest stars this 12 months. It was a considerably shocking omission.
“It’s a lot of money on the table if I make it,” Soto stated this week in Baltimore. The slugger would’ve been owned a $100,000 bonus if he made the All-Star Sport. “Maybe something happens. We’ll see what it’s going to be like.”
The Mets’ different three All-Stars, Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz, are nonetheless holding out hope that Soto will be part of them in Atlanta (“So the four of us can go there and get booed,” Lindor stated). They really feel he deserves it after the month he simply had.
Soto slashed .322/.474/.722 in June with a league-best 1.196 OPS. He hit 11 dwelling runs, tied for the third-most by any Mets hitter in a calendar month. The 26-year-old has been amongst league leaders all season in on-base share, which buoyed his early season numbers.
“To his standard, I think he didn’t get off to the start that he wanted,” Lindor stated this week in Baltimore. “With that being said, he’s still elite. He was still picking up elite numbers throughout the months of April and May.”
Soto did have a sluggish begin to the season. It was magnified due to his contract — $765 million over 15 years — and with the place he performs. Followers of the Yankees have been fast in charge his resolution to decide on the Mets over their very own staff for some down energy numbers in April and early Might.
However by mid Might, Soto was trying extra just like the participant the baseball world has come to know. He hit .300 with a 1.040 OPS and 6 dwelling runs in his final 18 video games in Might, and carried that manufacturing proper into June when All-Star voting opened. Place participant alternatives are primarily voted by way of followers, however gamers and members of the commissioner’s workplace choose the reserves.
Whether or not it was the followers or league decision-makers, the a part of the season the place Soto struggled essentially the most may need been weighted extra closely than his more moderen efficiency.
“There’s a lot of players out there that have great numbers and deserve to be there,” Soto stated. “But it’s a roster that they got filled, and it’s only 25 guys. They can’t all take all the guys.”
This occurred to Lindor the final two seasons as effectively, and it was the identical case with Brandon Nimmo in 2024. The apparent flaw with fan voting is that followers are going to vote primarily based on extra emotional standards, which is why the “player ballot” and league personnel fill within the gaps, and fill within the pitching workers. However the sport is primarily for followers, so it’s necessary to provide them a say.
Soto is not sure if he would go as a substitute participant, saying he must assess the scenario earlier than committing, however that modifications nothing in Queens.
“He’s an All-Star for us,” stated supervisor Carlos Mendoza. “It’s frustrating, but I’m hoping in the next couple of days we hear something and he makes it.”
There’s nonetheless an opportunity Soto will get into the sport as a substitute participant. Atlanta Braves proper fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. was sidelined with again tightness this week whereas lifting weights, however Acuña, the brother of Mets infield prospect Luisangel Acuña, will wish to placed on a present in his dwelling ballpark. He additionally dedicated to collaborating within the House Run Derby on Monday.
Nevertheless, he was again within the lineup Wednesday night time.
“Everybody thinks they should have made it,” Soto stated. “Every player in this league that should have made it, they’re an All-Star. I feel like every player that makes it to the big leagues is an all star, so it’s just part of it. It’s going to happen for me. I would have loved to be there, but it’s just one of those years.”
Initially Revealed: July 9, 2025 at 7:41 PM EDT
