The New York Mets have endured a disappointing 2026 campaign, but superstar outfielder Juan Soto is refusing to approach the final weeks of the season as if the team has nothing left to accomplish.
With New York sitting well outside the playoff picture, Soto delivered a message of determination during his media availability Thursday. Rather than focusing on what has gone wrong or looking too far ahead to the offseason, the five-time All-Star emphasized the importance of finishing the season with purpose.
When asked what he and the Mets were hoping to accomplish during the remaining weeks of the campaign, Soto offered a straightforward response: the team needs to finish strong.
He also made it clear that he does not believe the Mets’ season is necessarily over from a competitive standpoint.
Soto’s comments came as New York prepared to open a series against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field following a 10-4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Soto’s Message: The Mets Are Not Done Yet
Soto’s response carried particular weight because of where the Mets currently stand.
New York entered Friday with a 63-77 record through 140 games, sitting at the bottom of the National League East. The club had gone 4-6 over its previous 10 games and was 32-39 at home.
Under those circumstances, it would be understandable for players to begin thinking about the offseason and the 2027 campaign.
Soto, however, took a different approach.
His message was essentially that the Mets still have baseball left to play and should use that opportunity to build momentum.
He expressed the hope that a strong finish could potentially carry into October if the team somehow finds a way back into contention—or at least provide momentum heading into the following season.
That mindset is significant for a player who remains one of the central pieces of the Mets’ long-term plans.
A Difficult Season for the Mets
The optimism from Soto comes against the backdrop of a season that has fallen considerably short of expectations.
The Mets entered 2026 with significant expectations after building a roster around several high-profile players.
Instead, injuries, inconsistent performances and problems across different areas of the roster have contributed to a season that has increasingly become focused on evaluating players for the future.
New York’s current record reflects the struggles.
At 63-77, the Mets have already lost more games than they would have expected entering the season, and their position at the bottom of the NL East has made a postseason comeback extremely difficult.
Recent coverage has described the Mets’ playoff hopes as effectively gone, leaving the organization with a different set of priorities for September.
That makes Soto’s emphasis on finishing strongly particularly noteworthy.
Soto Himself Has Had a Strong Individual Season
While the Mets have struggled as a team, Soto’s individual production has remained impressive.
Entering Friday’s action, Soto was batting .281 with 87 hits, 23 home runs, 55 RBIs, 49 runs scored and seven stolen bases in 89 games, according to the Heavy report.
Those numbers demonstrate that Soto has continued to provide significant offensive value despite the team’s overall difficulties.
His ability to impact games at the plate remains one of the primary reasons the Mets view him as a cornerstone player.
However, his 2026 season has also been interrupted by injuries.
Injuries Have Complicated Soto’s Season
Soto’s availability has been a major storyline throughout the year.
He missed time earlier in the season with a calf issue and later suffered another injury that forced him back onto the injured list.
Most recently, Soto missed 31 games because of a Grade 2 strain in his left calf. He suffered the injury on July 24 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was his second calf-related injured-list stint of the season.
His absence came at an especially difficult time for the Mets.
Without one of their biggest offensive stars, the club had to rely more heavily on other players while attempting to remain competitive.
Soto eventually returned to action at the end of August.
Soto Worked to Return Before the Season Ended
Soto had already made it clear that he wanted to return before the end of the 2026 season.
On August 26, he took live batting practice, played catch and ran the bases as part of his recovery. He told MLB.com that he had put in the necessary work and believed he was in a good position to return, although the team still needed to monitor how his calf responded afterward.
That determination ultimately resulted in his return to the Mets.
Soto was activated from the injured list on August 29, ending a lengthy absence.
His return was another indication that he wanted to contribute during the final portion of a difficult season rather than simply shut things down.
Return to Action Wasn’t Immediately Perfect
Soto’s first games back have demonstrated that returning from an injury does not necessarily mean immediately returning to peak form.
On September 1 against Tampa Bay, Soto did not start but entered as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning.
He struck out with two runners in scoring position, ending the Mets’ final scoring opportunity.
He remained in the game afterward and played left field.
The Mets nevertheless held on for a 3-2 victory.
The following night, Soto contributed offensively during New York’s much more decisive 10-4 win over Tampa Bay. He hit a home run as the Mets collected 14 hits and secured the series victory.
That victory gave the Mets something positive to take into their next series.
Soto’s Presence Still Matters
Even with the Mets out of the playoff race, Soto’s return is important for several reasons.
First, it gives the organization an opportunity to evaluate how he looks physically heading into the offseason.
Second, it allows Soto to regain his timing after missing more than a month.
Third, it gives younger players an opportunity to play alongside one of the game’s premier hitters.
And finally, it allows the Mets to end the season with one of their most important players on the field.
Soto’s presence also carries symbolic importance.
He is one of the players around whom the Mets intend to build their next competitive team, making his attitude during a disappointing season particularly relevant.
The Mets Can Still Use September as a Learning Period
Although the postseason is no longer the realistic objective it was at the beginning of the season, the final weeks are far from meaningless for New York.
Recent reports indicate that the Mets are using September as an opportunity to evaluate younger players and determine which pieces could become important parts of the 2027 roster.
Players such as Carson Benge, Nick Morabito and several young pitchers have received opportunities to demonstrate what they can offer at the Major League level.
Soto’s presence can be valuable during that process.
A veteran superstar playing meaningful innings alongside developing players can provide both leadership and an example of the standards expected at the highest level.
A Strong Finish Could Still Matter
Soto’s comments also reflect an important reality of baseball: teams can learn valuable lessons even when the standings no longer provide much hope.
A strong September could help the Mets identify which players belong in their plans for next season.
It could also help players regain confidence after a difficult campaign.
For Soto specifically, finishing strongly could help him build momentum heading into the offseason after an injury-interrupted year.
The Mets may not be where they expected to be, but there is still an opportunity to end the season on a better note.
Soto Has Experience With Championship Baseball
Soto is no stranger to winning.
Before joining the Mets, he played for the Washington Nationals, San Diego Padres and New York Yankees.
Most notably, he was part of the Nationals team that won the 2019 World Series.
That experience gives him a different perspective when discussing the importance of competing until the end.
Soto understands what a championship-caliber team looks like and knows that maintaining a competitive mentality is important even when the circumstances are difficult.
His message to the Mets therefore goes beyond simply winning a few September games.
It is also about establishing the mindset the organization wants to carry into the future.
The Mets’ Recent Win Provides Some Encouragement
New York entered the Giants series after defeating Tampa Bay 10-4 on Thursday.
The victory was one of the more encouraging performances from the Mets in recent weeks.
The team collected 14 hits, while several younger players made meaningful contributions.
Nick Morabito recorded his first Major League hit and delivered a three-run double, while Brett Baty also produced a three-run double.
Soto added a home run, while Bo Bichette and Carson Benge each recorded two hits.
The performance showed what the Mets can look like when the offense is functioning at a high level.
Soto’s return could give the lineup another major source of power during the final weeks.
A Different Goal for September
At this point, the Mets’ primary objective is no longer simply chasing the postseason.
Instead, the organization can use the remaining games to answer important questions.
Which young players are ready for larger roles?
Which veterans remain part of the team’s future?
Which weaknesses need to be addressed during the offseason?
And how healthy can the core of the roster be heading into 2027?
Soto’s ability to finish the year healthy will be an important part of those evaluations.
Soto’s Statement Could Set the Tone
The significance of Soto’s comments extends beyond the words themselves.
Players on struggling teams can easily become distracted by trade rumors, offseason speculation and questions about the organization’s future.
Soto’s emphasis on competing and finishing strongly provides a different message.
Rather than treating September as an extended offseason, he wants the Mets to approach the remaining games as an opportunity.
That attitude could be particularly valuable for a roster containing several young players.
What Comes Next for Soto and the Mets?
The Mets will now turn their attention to the series against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field.
After the Giants series, New York is scheduled to travel to Florida to face the Miami Marlins on Monday.
For Soto, the immediate priority is continuing to regain his rhythm while staying healthy.
For the Mets, the objective is to determine whether the positive moments of the final month can provide a foundation for a better 2027 campaign.
The club’s record means there is little room for postseason optimism, but Soto’s comments demonstrate that the players are not treating the remainder of the schedule as meaningless.
The Bigger Picture for New York
The Mets’ disappointing 2026 season has raised difficult questions about the roster and the direction of the franchise.
The team entered the season expecting to compete, but injuries and inconsistent production have dramatically changed those expectations.
Soto’s return provides at least one major positive.
He remains a premier offensive talent and one of the most recognizable players on the roster.
His decision to return from injury and his insistence that the Mets are not finished show how seriously he is taking the final portion of the campaign.
Even if New York cannot turn its season around in the standings, the club can still build momentum.
Final Takeaway
Juan Soto’s message to the Mets is simple but significant: the season is not over just because the playoff picture has changed.
With New York sitting at the bottom of the NL East and facing a disappointing finish, Soto could easily have focused on the offseason.
Instead, he is urging the Mets to compete, improve and finish the year with momentum.
His own return from a significant calf injury reinforces that attitude.
Soto missed 31 games but worked his way back before the season ended, determined to contribute to the team rather than shut himself down.
Now back in the lineup, he has an opportunity to help the Mets close the season on a stronger note.
The immediate goal may not be a miraculous postseason run. It may be much more practical: play better baseball, develop the younger players, stay healthy and carry something positive into 2027.
For a franchise coming off a disappointing season, that could prove to be just as important.
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