“I don’t think I’m the guy to respond to that question" - Juan Soto deflects blame after Padres drop yet another insipid offensive display

Ahead of the 2023 MLB season, Juan Soto was expected to be one of the torchbearers for the San Diego Padres. Now, things are not looking as good as many expected.

Although the 24-year-old is nursing a decent .253 average, he has been identified as one of the players guilty of underperforming. Over his past 15 games, for example, the Dominican has gone just 1-for-15.

In an interview following the Padres' 8-5 loss to the Chicago Cubs on June 5, a testy Juan Soto obfuscated the line of questioning. When asked about his team's offensive inconsistency, Soto glibly replied that perhaps the questions should be asked of his teammates.

"I don’t think I’m the guy to respond to that question,” Soto said.

Soto, who was decked out in shades and a hoodie, risked looking egotistical as he indirectly called out his teammates. However, the actual numbers might back up the former Rookie of the Year Award runner-up.

Manny Machado, who inked an 11-year extension worth $350 million, has been the San Diego Padres' top underachiever this season. Despite the massive price tag, the third baseman had mustered a .222 average to accompany his five home runs and 19 RBIs.

Additionally, former Boston Red Sox star shortstop Xander Bogaerts is also having an uncharacteristically flawed year. Bogaerts, who has hit .300 in three of his past four seasons, has managed to slash just .252/.337/.388. As a team, the Padres are hitting just .221, second only to the MLB-worst Oakland Athletics.

Juan Soto should be careful of calling out teammates

While the dynamics of the Padres locker room may be questionable at best, Soto has a responsibility to his teammates not to say anything publicly. While the Padres are a good team who may yet come through, the first two months of the year were indeed a sorry showing for the club.

Juan Soto is someone the Padres know can be a franchise player, but at 24 years of age, he still has some growing up to do. It remains to be seen what will come of the young stud's career if he can remind himself to focus on baseball, and not disparage his teammates.