The New York Mets may soon need to make another significant adjustment to their struggling lineup, as questions continue to grow about whether superstar slugger Juan Soto should remain in the leadoff spot.
What was initially viewed as a temporary solution to injuries across the roster is now becoming a larger discussion surrounding the Mets’ offensive struggles and Soto’s recent slump at the plate. With the team continuing to search for consistency, manager Carlos Mendoza could soon face mounting pressure to rethink the batting order once again.
The Mets entered the 2026 season expecting to feature one of the deepest and most dangerous lineups in baseball. However, injuries have dramatically altered those plans. Key players including Jorge Polanco, Luis Robert Jr., and franchise shortstop Francisco Lindor have all spent significant time sidelined, leaving major holes near the top of the batting order.
Polanco has been dealing with wrist and Achilles issues, Robert remains out with a lumbar spine disc herniation, and Lindor is recovering from a left calf strain. More concerning for the Mets is the lack of clarity surrounding their return timelines, forcing the coaching staff to continuously reshuffle the lineup in hopes of sparking the offense.
One of the boldest moves Mendoza made was placing Soto in the leadoff role a spot he has rarely occupied throughout his MLB career. Prior to this stretch, Soto had only batted leadoff twice in his career and had not done so since the 2021 season. Despite the unusual change, Soto reportedly embraced the decision, understanding the urgency surrounding the Mets’ offensive struggles.
At the time, the move appeared logical. Soto is widely regarded as the Mets’ best overall hitter and one of baseball’s elite offensive players. Putting him at the top of the lineup was designed to maximize his plate appearances while giving the offense a spark. Unfortunately for New York, the results have not matched expectations.
Entering Sunday’s series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Soto had gone just 2-for-18 over his first five games batting leadoff. One of those hits was a historic moment the first leadoff home run of his professional career, which came against the Colorado Rockies on May 6. However, outside of that blast, Soto’s production has remained well below his usual standards.
The 27-year-old has been mired in an extended slump, recording just three hits across his last 27 at-bats. While Soto’s struggles certainly are not entirely tied to his lineup position, some analysts believe batting leadoff may be taking away from what makes him most valuable driving in runs in the middle of the order.
Soto was brought to New York to be a game-changing run producer capable of carrying the offense in key moments. Batting first limits opportunities for him to hit with runners on base, especially considering the Mets’ lack of consistent table-setters amid their injury problems. As a result, many believe the Mets may need to return Soto to a more traditional run-producing role once possible alternatives emerge.
Several lineup options could be considered if Mendoza decides to move Soto down in the order. Veteran infielder Marcus Semien has already spent some time batting leadoff this season and offers experience in the role. Bo Bichette is another natural possibility given his extensive leadoff experience during his years with the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Mets could also turn to young outfielder Carson Benge, whose speed and athleticism could add an entirely different dynamic at the top of the lineup if he continues to get on base consistently.
Ultimately, the Mets’ lineup issues reflect a larger concern surrounding the team’s disappointing offensive performance this season. Injuries have forced Mendoza to experiment with multiple combinations, but the offense still ranks among the least productive in baseball across several major statistical categories.
With the Mets continuing to search for answers and Soto struggling to find his rhythm, another lineup adjustment may soon become unavoidable. Whether that means moving Soto back into the heart of the order or trying a completely new leadoff option, New York appears far from settled offensively as the season progresses.
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