"I used to be a free swinger all the time," Soto said. "When I was in the minor leagues and if I would start taking walks, I'd be a better hitter, so I started working on it."

Frustrations apparently peaked at that point and several players, including star shortstop Francisco Lindor, acknowledged they held a players-only meeting following Saturday's defeat. It turns out Juan Soto delivered a five-word message of encouragement and hope to his teammates at that meeting, per Mets insider Mike Puma of the New York Post.

Back-to-back blowout losses to the Pirates led to a players' only meeting for a frustrated Mets team and Juan Soto addressed the group.