Juan Soto has delivered a star turn in Queens, blasting his 40th homer as the Mets chase a hopeful postseason finish. He sits at 40 HR, 32 stolen bases and 118 walks, placing him in an elite 40 30 100 club with only Bonds and Bagwell ever reaching those marks in the same season window. Soto also joins a rare list of players who have hit 40 homers with different teams in consecutive seasons, underscoring both his power and adaptability while the Mets grapple with a late season skid that could derail big payoffs.

Despite Soto power, the Mets have dropped eight straight and sit 21 30 in the second half, threatening a disappointing end to a contract that reshaped MLBs payroll landscape. The season opens the door to MVP chatter on a personal high note, even as the team fights to salvage a playoff berth. The contract race sits in the backdrop as Soto continues to produce at an historically elite level.