Juan Soto‘s been stirring the pot in New York, and his latest comments might just have Mets fans in Queens reaching for their pitchforks. The superstar outfielder, who signed a jaw-dropping 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets in December 2024, made waves when he declared at a press conference, “It’s been a Mets town for a long time. I think we just gotta bring it to the top. Championships are gonna tell you if it’s a Yankees or a Mets town at the end of the day.” Bold words, right? But now, a fresh confession about his Yankees fandom has some wondering if he’s playing both sides of the Big Apple rivalry.
Soto’s Mets move came after a wild free agency tug-of-war, with the Yankees-who he powered to the 2024 World Series-desperately trying to keep him in pinstripes. Fast forward to March 4, and during a casual chat on the Foul Territory podcast, Soto let slip a bombshell: “I grew up a Yankees fan, man. Watching Jeter and those guys, that was my team.” Yep, the guy who just called New York a “Mets town” admitted his childhood heart belonged to the Bronx Bombers.
Mets fans took that “Mets town” comment as a love letter, a sign Soto was all-in on flipping the city’s baseball narrative. After all, the Mets haven’t won a World Series since 1986, while the Yankees boast 27 titles. Soto’s arrival-fresh off a 41-homer, .989 OPS season-felt like a promise to shift the tide. But this Yankees confession? It’s got some fans on X buzzing with reactions like, “Soto better not be a Yankee in disguise,” trending alongside his Mets hype.
He wants to win a title with the Mets
The 26-year-old slugger didn’t stop there. He doubled down on his championship focus, saying, “I’m here to win with the Mets now-that’s what matters.” Still, that Yankee fandom nod risks rubbing salt in the wound for a fanbase already touchy about their crosstown rivals. Soto’s not wrong about titles deciding bragging rights, though-his .419 World Series average with the Yanks last year proves he’s got the clutch gene.
As spring training heats up, Soto’s got the spotlight. Will Queens forgive this honest slip, or will it fuel the fire of New York’s fiercest rivalry? Either way, the guy’s swinging for the fences.
Read the full article here
