Juan Soto Returns to Left Field for the 2026 Season
The New York Mets have announced a strategic change for the 2026 season, with the star Dominican Juan Soto returning to left field. David Stearns, the club’s president of baseball operations, confirmed the news during the opening of spring training.
Soto, known for his versatility, has primarily played in right field since 2021. However, his return to left field represents a tactical move to strengthen the team’s defense.
The Dominican outfielder has previous experience in this position. In 2018, he started 112 games in left field, and in 2019, he was a starter in 150 games, a season in which the Washington Nationals won the World Series.
In 2025, Soto had a defensive performance with -12 Outs Above Average (OAA) as a right fielder with the Mets, although his arm strength ranked in the 66th percentile. His best defensive performance was in left field, where he accumulated +5 OAA in 2019.
This change aims to optimize the team’s outfield defense. The right fielder position could be filled by Tyrone Taylor or prospect Carson Benge.
It is expected that this adjustment will allow Soto to maximize his performance in the 2026 season, providing defensive stability and maintaining his offensive impact.
