Juan Soto probably trying to do too much during slow Mets start: David Stearns

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.Certainly, no one expected that at the end of May, President of Baseball Operations David Stearns — among others, like Carlos Mendoza — would still be trying to explain Juan Soto’s slow start to his Mets career.But there was Stearns on Friday, with Soto not looking anything like the hitter he’s been for much of his career, doing just that and acknowledging the $765 million slugger hasn’t lived up to expectations.“Do I think he’s trying to do too much right now? Yeah, I think he’s probably trying to do too much right now,” Stearns said before the Mets opened a series against the Rockies in Queens.

“That is natural for a player who cares.”Putting too much pressure on himself certainly wasn’t the case a year ago, when Soto did almost nothing but play well with the Yankees.Soto entered Friday with a .745 OPS, which isn’t what the Mets signed up for, but the results have been even worse since May 10.After compiling an .891 OPS in his first 39 games, Soto was just 7-for-59 with a double, 12 walks, 17 strikeouts and a feeble .396 OPS in his previous 16 games.Perhaps most striking is Soto’s contribution to the Mets being among the worst teams hitting with runners in scoring position.Soto entered Friday hitting just .130 in those spots, sixth-worst in the majors.A year ago, he hit .345 — seventh best in the majors in the same scenarios.“I think he’s putting extra pressure on himself in those situations,” Stearns said.

“And you expand [the strike zone].… It’s an unusual stretch for him and I’m sure he feels it, so that can lead to discomfort and pressure.”Stearns said that despite the slump, he doesn’t believe Soto’s confidence has been impacted.“I don’t,” Stearns said.

“I think there’s frustration.I have not sensed a confidence issue.”Regardless of Soto’s attitude, his rot...