“He was a great teammate,” Carlos Rodon praises Juan Soto, calls him a great ‘Yankee’ despite 4x All-Star mega $765 million to rivals NY Mets

Juan Soto shattered MLB records when he penned down the 15-year $765 million deal with the New York Mets in December 2024.

“He was a great teammate,” Carlos Rodon praises Juan Soto, calls him a great ‘Yankee’ despite 4x All-Star mega $765 million to rivals NY Mets

Juan Soto and Carlos Rodon (Image via X)

The biggest story of the 2024-25 MLB offseason was the free agency saga of Juan Soto. The 4-time MLB All-Star set a new record in professional sports when he penned down the $765 million deal with the New York Mets. Despite him now being a rival, Carlos Rodon praised him and called him a great teammate and a great ‘Yankee’.

Soto joined the New York Yankees in December 2023 through a trade from the San Diego Padres. He would have a memorable year in the Bronx, as he hit 41 home runs and played an important part in the helping the team achieve it’s first pennant title since 2009.

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Soto would become a free agent by declining the qualifying offer from the Yankees. In the end he chose the Mets’ 15-year $765 million deal over the Yankees’ 16-year $760 million offer.

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On Tuesday, the pitchers and catchers of the team started reporting for the Spring Training. Rodon was among those Yankees pitchers who made his way to Tampa to the training ground of the team.

During this, he was asked about his thoughts regarding Soto leaving them. The former Chicago White Sox would admit that he was “happy” for him and went on to drop a hilarious statement while referring to his massive deal.

I’m happy for Juan. Juan was a good friend. He was a great teammate. What a great teammate. He was a class act. I mean, he’s a great Yankee. Would I have liked him to stay here with us? Yeah, selfishly, yeah, for sure. But I’m happy for Juan. I’m happy, you know, he set up his grandkids and his great-grandkids.

Carlos Rodon said as per SNY

While Rodon may have called Soto a great ‘Yankee’, the majority of Yankees fans likely do not share the sentiment. Following the announcement of Soto to Mets, several fans would slam him for this decision. Some even burnt down the No.22 jersey that he wore during his one-year stay with them.

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Carlos Rodon gives blunt response on how to pitch against Juan Soto

Over the years gone by, Juan Soto has emerged as one of the toughest hitters in the MLB. In his 7-year MLB career so far, the Dominican International has amassed a career batting average of .285. When asked about how he would pitch to him in the upcoming season, Carlos Rodon gave a blunt response.

Carlos Rodon and Juan Soto
Carlos Rodon and Juan Soto (Image via X)

The 2-time MLB All-Star claimed that he (Soto) hits everything, so it was difficult to actually pitch to him.

I don’t know. He kind of hits everything. He’s a tough out. Yeah, he’s a tough out. It’ll be fun. I faced him before. I don’t remember what happened. I think he hit the ball hard somewhere.

Carlos Rodon said as per SNY

Rodon is one of those few Yankees pitchers against whom Soto is yet to have a hit. In his previous two at-bats against him in 2022, he recorded one walk and was out in the other one.

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This year there will be two series between the two New York rivals. The first series will see the Mets travel to the Bronx to take on the Yankees from May 16 to 18. It will be interesting to see how Soto performs against his former side and what kind of reception he gets from the fans.