Soto's megadeal season as Mets chase a playoff spot

Juan Soto’s first season with the New York Mets has been a high-profile test of a record-breaking contract, delivering elite moments even as the team has stumbled in the standings. After signing a 15-year, $765 million deal in the offseason, Soto arrived in New York amid intense expectations. The Mets began the season with playoff optimism, but a recent slide has them in second place in the National League East and clinging to a slim edge for the final wild card spot as they close in on the season’s end.

On the field, Soto has remained a central figure in a year marked by dramatic highs and worrisome lows for the club. The Mets briefly led the NL East but have slipped to 64-57, half a game ahead of the Cincinnati Reds for the final wild card position as they chase a postseason berth. The team’s recent form has been among the worst in the league, including a stretch that has diminished postseason odds even as Soto and others have produced moments of significance.

Several milestones have punctuated Soto’s season. Mets first baseman Pete Alonso broke the franchise’s single-season home-run record, surpassing the prior mark in a landmark moment for the team. In another notable...