When you're paying a guy superstar money, every game he misses feels like an eternity. For the New York Mets, that eternity is over.Juan Soto will return to the lineup tomorrow after missing time with an undisclosed injury, and you can hear the collective sigh of relief from Queens to Manhattan.Let's be clear about what Soto means to this team: Everything. The Mets invested heavily in him because they believe he's the difference between being a playoff team and being a championship contender. When he's out, their entire offensive gameplan changes. Pitchers can pitch around other hitters. The lineup loses its anchor. The margin for error shrinks.The timing couldn't be better, either. The Mets are trying to separate themselves in a crowded NL East race, and every game matters. Having Soto back means they can finally roll out their full-strength lineup and start making up ground.Here's what I love about Soto: the guy is a professional hitter. Not just a slugger who swings for the fences - though he can do that - but someone who works counts, controls the strike zone, and makes pitchers pay for mistakes. That plate discipline is what makes him special, and it's what the Mets have been missing.The question now is: Can he stay healthy? Baseball is a marathon, not a sprint, and the Mets need Soto for 150+ games, not 120. If he can avoid the injury bug and stay on the field, this team has legitimate championship aspirations.Welcome back, Juan. Now let's see if you can lead this team where they want to go.