Mets officials are keenly aware of the fact Juan Soto led the major leagues with 127 walks last season.

That was with a bona fide slugger, Pete Alonso, hitting behind him.

And so, the counterargument to the idea Soto needs lineup protection now that Alonso has departed to the Orioles — and as the Mets consider if one of the significant bats remaining on the free-agent market belongs in Queens, whether it’s Kyle Tucker’s or Cody Bellinger’s — is this: Soto will be pitched around plenty, regardless of who is hitting behind him, with the possible exception of Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani.

At last glance, neither MVP was available on the trade market.