Juan Soto ‘expecting the worst’ during return at Yankee stadium following $765 million deal with NY Mets

Juan Soto joined the cross-town rivals of the NY Yankees, the NY Mets on a record-breaking 15-year $765 million deal.

Juan Soto ‘expecting the worst’ during return at Yankee stadium following $765 million deal with NY Mets

Juan Soto (Image via CNN)

4-time All-Star Juan Soto shocked the sporting world while agreeing to a record-breaking 15-year $765 million deal with the New York Mets during the 2024 offseason. On Monday, the outfielder faced his former team, the New York Yankees during the Spring Training game. After the match, he admitted that he is ‘expecting the worst’ from the Yankees fans during his return to the Bronx.

Soto joined the Yankees through a from the San Diego Padres in December 2023. In his lone year in the American League, the Dominican international hit 41 home runs and had 109 RBIs.

YouTube video

After losing in the World Series, Soto expressed that he was open to all 30 teams in the league. Following weeks of speculations, the 26-year-old chose the 15-year $765 million deal of the Mets over the 16-year $760 million deal of the Yankees.

This move of him sparked strong reactions from the Yankees fans. While some of them burnt down his No.22 jersey, some shared NSFW reactions towards him. He also came under fire from the Yankees fans when he claimed that New York had been a “Mets town” for a while.

On Monday, when he took to the field to face his former team, he was met with mixed reactions from the fans. While the Mets fans cheered him, the Yankees fans present inside the Spring Training field of the Mets, rained down boos on him.

While speaking with Max Goodman of NJ Advance Media, Soto said he is expecting a hostile reaction from the Yankees fans after leaving them.

You know Yankees fans, they can surprise you with anything. So I’m expecting the worst.

Juan Soto said

The Yankees and the Mets will face each other in a three-game series starting on May 16 at Yankee Stadium.

Juan Soto and Aaron Boone involved in hilarious exchange during Mets-Yankees Spring Training game

Even though it was just a Spring Training game, fans were eager to see what kind of reception Juan Soto would get once the two NY teams locked up. While he was met with a chorus of boos, he was involved in a hilarious exchange with his former manager Aaron Boone.

Aaron Boone and Juan Soto
Aaron Boone and Juan Soto (Image via Imago/X/@Metsmuse)

Before the game, Boone and Soto were spotted sharing a hug with each other and laughing. During the press conference after the game, Boone revealed what he thought about Soto in a Mets uniform.

I told him he looked terrible in that uniform.

Aaron Boone said as per NY Post

Soto would later hilariously hit back at this. Following the game, he claimed that Boone perhaps does not like the orange and blue color.

You know, it’s just Booney. You know he probably don’t like the orange and blue.

Juan Soto said as per SNY

Soto has been highly productive in the Spring Training this year. In the 16 games he had participated in, he has collected 11 hits. 4 of them have been home runs. He has batted with a .289 average during his 38 plate appearances.

NY Mets wrap up Spring Training with 13-13 record following 6-6 tie with Yankees in final game

On Monday, the New York Mets ended their Spring Training campaign. The National League East side finished with an even record of 13-13 in the Spring Training following a 6-6 tie with their crosstown rivals, New York Yankees.

Pete Alonso
Pete Alonso homered in the 6-6 tie between Mets and Yankees (Image via Instagram/@mets)

Unlike regular season and postseason games, when a game is tied after nine innings, there are no extra innings. No wins and losses are awarded from this match.

In the game between the Mets and the Yankees, it was the Bronx Bombers who were leading for the majority of the game. A solo home run in the eighth inning from Spencer Jones saw them take a 6-3 lead. The Mets fought back from this and ended the game on level terms while scoring 3 runs in the ninth inning.

The Yankees on the other hand, do have one more game remaining in the spring training. With a 14-13 record, they will finish above the Mets in the Grapefruit League before getting ready to start the new season against the Milwaukee Brewers.