Juan Soto had plenty to say before tonight’s All-Star Game, and most of it circled back to the Mets. He talked about which Mets players he expects to see in next year’s All-Star mix, what it means to represent New York on this stage, and how he’s tried to help A.J.
Ewing and Carson Benge. Soto also touched on the players he grew up admiring, the All-Star he’s most eager to catch up with during the festivities, and the message he wants to send to kids who dream of becoming All-Stars someday.
He also made clear that the Mets aren’t done yet. Soto said the club is not eliminated and that he and his teammates will keep grinding.
There’s no mistaking what his All-Star selection says about where he belongs. Soto being voted an All-Star team proves this is the place he deserves to be.
He’ll take the field in a prominent spot, too, batting second for the NL All-Stars.
Soto wasn’t the only one handing out praise. Bryce Harper called his former teammate “one of the best to ever do it.” Cody Bellinger was just as direct, labeling Soto the “best bat in the game.”
Justin Verlander also looked back on his time with the Mets.
The backdrop to all of this is a second half that feels very different from where the Mets started. FanGraphs gave them an 86.6% shot at the postseason to open 2026, but they’re now sitting at 0.8% as the break arrives. If you want to squint hard enough, there’s still a path for the hopeful.
More realistically, the trade deadline is now front and center, and the Mets’ attention is shifting toward 2027. The second half is going to be about roster construction, with the veterans needing to step up, beginning with Francisco Lindor.
There’s also the uncomfortable reality of wasting another huge offensive year from Soto, even if Joel Sherman sees a sliver of hope left.
Elsewhere, Danny Abriano made the case that pulling Devin Williams out of the closer’s role right now would not make sense.
Around the division, Harper said there’s one player in baseball history he’d love to share the field with, and it happens to be someone still active. Harper also said he did not give FanDuel permission for a personalized video he recorded for a customer who later claimed the sportsbook exploited his gambling addiction. Kyle Schwarber, meanwhile, felt the support in Philadelphia even after being walked off in the Home Run Derby.
That Derby delivered its own fireworks. Jordan Walker, down to his final swing, hit four straight homers to stun Schwarber and win the event, becoming the first Cardinals player to do it. The night produced plenty of memorable numbers, and there was also a round-by-round breakdown for anyone who missed it or couldn’t watch on Netflix.
Ahead of today’s All-Star Game, the full starting lineups were revealed. MLB.com’s staff also dug into some trade rumors, while All-Stars voiced their opposition to a salary cap and said there is still time to reach a deal.
On the draft front, No. 1 overall pick Roch Cholowsky is set to sign with the White Sox for $10.35 million, breaking the previous record of $9.3 million set by Chase Burns and Charlie Condon in 2024. The Yankees reached terms with first-round pick Hunter Dietz and are also looking for help at catcher and in the bullpen before the deadline. The Athletics made a change on the staff, dismissing pitching coach Scott Emerson and naming bullpen coach Dan Hubbs interim pitching coach for the rest of the season.
Back at Amazin’ Avenue, Steve Sypa profiled Mets draft picks Aidan Keenan, Landon Koenig, Ryan Tayman, and Nate Isler, while Linus examined the top ten Mets draft picks of all time by bWAR.
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For Mets fans, that matters because Soto was the centerpiece of a winter bidding war that reshaped both sides of New York. He chose the Mets over the Yankees in free agency, and now every result around him gets measured against that decision, especially with the season paused and the two clubs headed in very different directions. [Read more 🡒]
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