Juan Soto Caps Mets Season with All-MLB Nod and High Praise

Juan Soto has capped his second season with the New York Mets with a nomination for the 2026 All-MLB Team. The superstar outfielder also ended the campaign by making a strong case for rookie teammate Carson Benge to win a major award, pointing to the young core as the reason for future optimism after a 74-88 finish.

Soto Earns All-MLB Recognition After Strong Season

Soto's nomination for the 2026 All-MLB Team recognizes another elite performance. In 108 games this season, he posted a.274 batting average with a.393 on-base percentage and a.522 slugging percentage. He collected 106 hits, including 20 home runs, and drove in 68 runs. This individual honor follows a 2024 season with the Yankees where he finished third in AL MVP voting, setting the stage for his historic move to Queens.

The Record-Breaking Contract That Brought Him to Queens

The foundation for Soto's Mets tenure is the monumental 15-year, $765 million deal he signed in December 2024. It remains the largest total-value contract in MLB history, surpassing Shohei Ohtani's $700 million pact. The agreement includes a $75 million signing bonus, no deferred money, and an average annual value of $51 million. A unique clause allows the Mets to eliminate Soto's opt-out after the 2029 season by increasing the value of the final ten years, potentially raising the total to $805 million.

Soto Champions Carson Benge for NL Rookie of the Year

Following the Mets' final game, a 6-4 loss to the Washington Nationals on September 26, Soto was unequivocal in his support for Benge. "100 percent," Soto said when asked if the rookie should win the award. He pointed to Benge's all-around game. "It's what he's been showing. Not only on the defense side, but he's been showing it day in and day out running the bases, stealing bags, all that kind of stuff. He's a superstar." Benge, 23, slashed.282/.346/.430 with 20 homers, 65 RBI, and 22 stolen bases in his debut campaign.

Looking Ahead to 2027 with a Young Core

Soto's confidence in the Mets' future hinges on players like Benge. When asked what made him believe the team could contend in 2027, his answer was simple: "Carson Benge." Soto elaborated on the group's potential. "We have a really good, talented group, really young core that can help us; you just gotta take them to the right path, show them where to go and how to go about this stuff and play the game." This endorsement places faith in the organization's developing talent to turn the page on a disappointing season.

• All-MLB Nod: Juan Soto is a nominee for the 2026 All-MLB Team following a season where he posted a.915 OPS.
• Historic Deal: His 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets, signed in December 2024, is the largest in baseball history by total value.
• Rookie Advocate: Soto is a vocal supporter of Carson Benge's NL Rookie of the Year case, praising the rookie's complete skill set.
• Future Focus: Soto identifies the team's young core, led by Benge, as the primary reason for optimism about contending in 2027.

Soto's recent performance and his role as a leader for the next generation of Mets talent define this moment. His historic contract ensures he will be the centerpiece of the franchise's efforts to return to prominence, a journey he believes is already being fueled by the emerging players around him.