After a five-month hiatus, the return of baseball brings a rush of adrenaline. The Mets were supposed to ride that wave. Instead, they got wiped out. At Daikin Park in Flushing, the Mets were looking to make a statement. Yet, when the dust settled, the Astros had secured a 3-1 win. The spotlight was on Juan Soto, their prized offseason acquisition, but his much-anticipated debut didn’t go as expected.  Let’s just say the fireworks were missing.

Even with marquee signings like Juan Soto, the Mets couldn’t deliver a win. Expectations were through the roof for the $765 million slugger, but his Mets debut was far from spectacular. Soto managed a single and two walks, but fans had been hoping for something more, especially considering how he shined in his Yankees debut against these same Astros last year, going 1-for-3 with two walks and an RBI.

If the first game is any indication, the Mets might be in for a bumpy ride. And Soto’s most talked-about moment? A strikeout against Josh Hader, which quickly went viral. A clip shared by Talkin’ Baseball captured the moment Hader got the best of Soto with a swinging slider.

Soto had the moment in his hands- a 3-0 count against one of the nastiest closers in the game, Josh Hader. But Hader wasn’t about to roll over. He dotted the zone with a slider for strike one, then fired a 95 mph sinker that Soto just barely tipped foul. Now, it was 3-2, and the tension was sky-high. Hader went back to his bread and butter, a filthy slider, and got Soto to chase it for strike three. Game over. “He’s one of the best closers in the league,” Soto said afterward. “His stuff is nasty, everything he does, and he’s really smart on the mound. So I think that’s why he’s still been so effective.”

Looking back at that final at-bat, Soto didn’t sound too rattled. “We all want to do something in a big spot, we’re all trying to get the knock and bring the runs in,” he explained. “But for me, I don’t mind taking a walk right there.” And why would he? Pete Alonso was up next, and Soto liked the matchup. “It’s Pete behind me, and he’s a really good power hitter, so I think we had a better chance right there. Hader just got me this time.”

Meanwhile, social media wasted no time in roasting the Mets’ biggest star.

Fans are not letting go of Soto

The price tag was always going to be part of the conversation, and Soto’s first game didn’t help his case. One fan bluntly called it “the most expensive strikeout”, pointing out that the Mets spent $765 million on Soto, only to see him go down swinging against a pitcher on a $95 million contract. With Steve Cohen’s deep pockets fueling the Mets’ record $321 million payroll, fans aren’t feeling patient.

Are the Mets overrated this year? While they have some of the biggest names on paper, their performance against the Astros hasn’t justified the $321 m payroll this year. With their owner, Steve Cohen, splashing money all over, 2025 is deemed the biggest season for the team. Some fans couldn’t help but mock the irony—all that star power, and still, they fell short. Maybe it’s just one game, or maybe it’s a sign that money can’t buy wins. Either way, the pressure is already mounting in Queens.

Only two players in MLB history have cracked the $700 million mark—Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto. Naturally, comparisons were bound to happen, and Opening Day only fueled the debate. While Ohtani wasted no time making an impact, smashing a homer and driving in a run against the Tigers, Soto’s debut was far less electrifying. And here’s the kicker: Ohtani’s deal comes with an AAV of just $2 million, while Soto is raking in $51 million per year. If there was ever a night to stir the pot, this was it.

Who would have expected Juan Soto to get fouled off a high sinker out of the zone? Even the biggest Astros fans might not have. Since Soto was signed with $765 m, he became the face of offense for the team, and towering homers are expected by the fans. However, what they got in the first game is beyond their expectation.

Calling Soto a shame just based on his debut game might be too bold. The long season has just kicked off, and Soto would surely find his rhythm with the new team with time. It is too early to call out the 2024 Silver Slugger winner, who came up with 41 homers last year. A turn of the tide might be just visible in the following games.

The beauty of baseball lies in these unexpected thrills. For the Mets fans, it might not sound good at this point, but a turnaround can just be around the corner with such a stacked lineup.

Do you think Soto will shine in the next few games?