In the first months of his 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets, Juan Soto hasn't looked the same. One Mets and Yankees legend has an idea why.

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Outfielder José Azócar, who was designated for assignment by the New York Mets over the weekend, has rejected his outright assignment to the minor leagues and instead elected free agency. More news: Yankees, Mets Tried to Sign All-Star Infielder, Who Spurned Them for MLB's Worst Team

He was in the outfield in the eighth inning Sunday night in a game against the Rochester Red Wings, the top farm club of the Washington Nationals. Mets right-hander Justin Hagenman delivered a 3-2 pitch that Red Wings third baseman Brady House hit so hard that Gilbert was left wondering what happened to the ball.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Mets had the perfect vantage point from ... With two Mets runners on base and the Nationals leading 2-0, Jesse Winker pulled a line drive to the Nationals first baseman ...

“I see a guy that has a lot of confidence,” Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, who drove in Taylor on a sacrifice fly in the ninth, said. “A guy who feels like he can hit any pitch. A guy that gives good at-bats every single day.”

Washington Nationals president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo fired back at criticism of the organization, defending the team's progress through what's been a lengthy rebuild."I guess you could pick at certain draft choices and picks over the last years,

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