The New York Mets made a miraculous run to the National League Championship Series in 2024 and signed Juan Soto in the following offseason.
However, the team has missed the postseason in both years they've had Soto. The last two seasons have been disappointing for the Mets, but Soto believes things are about to turn around, all because of a young player they called up this season: Carson Benge.
"What makes you confident that this team will be able to contend next year?"
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) September 27, 2026
Juan Soto: "Carson Benge." pic.twitter.com/4tnam7pRPC
"Carson Benge," Soto said bluntly when he was asked what makes him confident that the Mets can contend next season. "That’s the confidence we have. We have a really good, talented group, a really young core that can help us. We just gotta take them to the right path and show them where to go, how to go about stuff and play the game.”
Benge was one of the Mets' top prospects coming into the season and made the team's Opening Day roster. He ended up starting 126 games in right field and playing in 156 games in total. He finished his rookie season with a .282/.346/.430 slash line with 20 home runs and 22 stolen bases. He had 65 RBIs, ranking third on the team, and should be a National League Rookie of the Year Finalist.
Benge is a great young player, but he is nowhere near the biggest star on the team. Between Soto, Francisco Lindor and Bo Bichette, Benge should not be the one on whom the pressure to contend falls. However, Soto sees the talent he has and thinks he can be a driving force in getting the Mets to a World Series.
Soto was great again this year, despite missing a bunch of games, but it's safe to assume that if the Mets want to win it all, Soto will need to play like the superstar he is. Getting contributions from the other stars on the Mets' highly paid roster will also be needed. Benge could turn into an All-Star and become a household name, but right now he is a young player who should not have to wear the pressure of bringing a World Series to a starved fan base.