Having the biggest contract in MLB right now, but failing to make it count! That perfectly sums up Juan Soto so far in the 2025 season. There’s no doubt that the 26-year-old Dominican outfielder is a generational talent. However, he hasn’t been in the best form yet. Despite his impressive batting ability, his recent struggles have cast a shadow over his reputation, sparking serious debates in the world of baseball. Adding to the controversy, his intense stare at opposing pitchers during this recent incident has further stirred the MLB community. You know, that piercing gaze after striking out? It’s got everyone talking. Is it a sign of frustration or just a bit too much drama? 

WFAN host Brandon Tierney certainly thinks so. “Dude, it’s a little much now. It’s not surprising that someone got you out. You’re not Rod Carew hitting .360,” he remarked, openly criticizing Soto. For Tierney, Soto’s gesture was unnecessary, as getting out is simply part of the game. He also pointed out that Soto’s current batting average is .238, contrasting it with his stronger performances in 2024 when he hit .275 and .288 during the regular season. But for a player with a $765 million contract, expectations are undeniably higher, aren’t they?

Soto is nowhere close to the MLB greats like Rod Carew or even Tony Gwynn, known for their exceptional batting averages. So, as Tierney pointed out, it’s not much of a surprise that someone got him out. Soto hasn’t lived up to the hype, particularly in the critical matchup against the Miami Marlins, when he made quite a handful of mistakes. Though the gesture seems a bit unreasonable to Tierney, it’s not the first time Soto did that, and given his history, it won’t be the last time. 

Soto has always brought a little extra drama to the diamond. Whether it’s his signature shuffle, his stare-downs, or even his nods to pitchers, whenever he’s been out, he always pauses for a moment to stare down at the pitcher and shakes his head. After all, baseball is as much about mental battles as physical ones, and Soto seems to relish the game within the game. Love him or hate him, one thing is certain: when Soto steps into the batter’s box, it’s never just another at-bat—it’s theater.

Nonetheless, the pressure on him is mounting, and all eyes are on how he will respond. But just as the conversation seemed to settle on his struggles, a 21-year-old center fielder dropped a bombshell statement that’s bound to stir up controversy among fans.

Jackson Merrill took a jab at Juan Soto

The chatters and discussions about Soto seemed hardly settling, when Jackson Merrill added more weight to it with a recent statement. San Diego Padres’ center fielder appeared to take an indirect jab at Soto during a recent news conference. Reflecting on his decision to stay with the Padres when Soto chose to join the highest bidder, the Mets, Merrill suggested that money isn’t everything. He even correlated it to why the Padres have been performing rather well with a 7-0 record. Whereas the Mets are struggling with a 3-3 record. 

Merrill shared, “I know there are contracts out there that are beyond absurd, but having a relationship with a real human being and a real team like I have here—you can’t beat that. You know, you can’t just sign for $700 million and want everything to be perfect.” Some folks think Merrill was throwing shade at Soto, while others believe he was simply explaining why staying with the Padres felt right for him.

True to a large extent! Soto boasts a decorated career stat line: 576 at-bats, 41 home runs, 109 RBIs, 7 SB, a .288 average, a .419 OBP, and a .988 OPS. What more could a team want from a player? However, Merrill’s comments suggest that Soto shouldn’t expect everything to go his way after signing such a massive deal. After all, prioritizing money comes with the responsibility of giving your all to the team. Judging by Merrill’s tone, it seems his remarks were a well-intended critique of his former teammate. But what do you think?

We are all open for you to share your thoughts about the eye-rolling stare of Juan Soto. Let us know in the comments section below.