Juan Soto Stuns Fans with New York Is a Mets Town Claim, Directly Slams Yankees Pride
In a move that stunned the baseball world, Juan Soto, the generational slugger, left the New York Yankees on December 8, 2024, to sign a 15-year, $765 million contract with the Yankees’ crosstown rivals, the New York Mets. After spending just one season in the Bronx, Soto became the talk of the town with his not-so-subtle jabs at his former team, as well as their passionate fanbase. Despite his stellar performance with the Yankees, where he helped lead them to their first World Series in 15 years, his transition to the Mets raised eyebrows.
Soto, known for his incredible batting skills, posted 41 home runs and a .989 OPS, ranking third in the MLB. His Wins Above Replacement (WAR) of 7.9 in 2024 placed him sixth in the league. With a career .953 OPS, Soto has cemented his place as one of the greatest hitters of his generation, consistently ranking among the elite players in the game. But it wasn’t just his numbers that sparked controversy—his words did too.
Soto’s Claims Spark Yankee Fan Outrage
At his Mets introduction press conference, Soto made a bold statement: “New York City has been a Mets town for a long time.” This comment did not sit well with Yankee fans, who have long considered the city their own. Rich Eisen, a former ESPN anchor and die-hard Yankee fan, wasted no time calling out Soto on his Emmy-nominated Rich Eisen Show.
Eisen, a New Yorker himself, exclaimed, “What is he talking about? I’ve been around New York City for 55 years. He’s been around for the proverbial New York minute. Dude, get out of here with that noise.” The fiery response was just the beginning of the backlash Soto would face from the Yankee community.
Former Yankees All-Star Fires Back at Soto
The feud took another turn when Dellin Betances, a three-time All-Star and former Yankees pitcher, voiced his thoughts on Soto’s comment during an appearance on the Foul Territory TV podcast. Betances, a native New Yorker and Yankees fan, didn’t hold back in defending his team.
“It’s always going to be a Yankees town,” Betances declared. “That’s the way I feel. I don’t know what he was trying to say by that. I love Juan Soto, but… he’s in a situation obviously where… I think him going to the Mets, he gets to be the guy.” Betances emphasized that Soto’s decision to join the Mets was likely driven by the chance to be the center of attention, something he couldn’t fully achieve while playing alongside Aaron Judge with the Yankees. “Soto getting that large contract—he gets to be the face of the Mets now,” Betances said.
Soto’s Future: A Season to Prove Himself
As the 2025 MLB season looms just 73 days away, all eyes will be on Juan Soto to see if he can live up to his lofty contract and back up his controversial comments. Soto, now tasked with leading the Mets, will have to face not only the scrutiny from fans but also the challenge of proving that his move to the Mets was the right one. With his immense talent, however, there’s little doubt that he will be one of the top players to watch as the season progresses.
Will Soto’s transition from the Yankees to the Mets spark a new chapter in New York’s baseball rivalry? With the city divided and expectations high, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Soto as he embarks on this new journey. The ultimate question remains: Can he live up to his word and his contract with the Mets?
