Juan Soto is open to playing first base

With an uncommon eye for batting, there's no doubt that Juan Soto is one of the best hitters in the MLB. But on the defensive side of the ball, it's a different story.

And the 2025 campaign was no exception in this regard, as the outfielder had a defensive run value of -13 in 2025. This was the fourth-worst value in the entire league and the second-worst among outfielders.

This statistic is an advanced metric that quantifies a player's overall defensive skills on a point-based scale, then is compared to that of an average Major League Baseball outfielder at that position. So, posting a snoring -13 means that Soto cost the New York Mets no less than thirteen points in the outfield compared to an average right fielder.

Given Soto's struggles in right field, this has many thinking that a transition to first base could become inevitable for the Dominican, perhaps as early as the 2026 season.

Juan Soto on the possibility of playing first base;

(Translation by Master Flip)
Not yet, give me some time, right now I'm just getting started.

(On taking throws at first) That was me having a good time with the boys and chatting it up. At the end of the day, in any role or… pic.twitter.com/kOaEIBFAbF

– Master Flip (@Masterflip_) January 6, 2026

However, the 27-year-old doesn't seem to think a change of position is necessary at the moment, but remains open to the possibility.

Not yet, give me some time. Right now, I'm just getting started. At the end of the day, in any role or position where I can help the team, I'm all in. If one day they need me to take that place, I'll be ready and willing. But for now, there's still plenty of time, another 14 years, a few changes of government, but after that, we'll see what happens.

With a contract worth over $765 million in his pocket, a box at Citi Field, and a wardrobe for his mom, the Mets are going to make the final decision no matter what the mercenary thinks.

Soto wasn't the only player on the New York roster to experience his share of defensive struggles last season, and David Stearns made it clear that he wanted to address this issue, which seems to have influenced him letting Pete Alonso go on the free agent market.

This content was created with the help of AI.