“Get out of here,” Rich Eisen BLASTS Juan Soto for claiming New York to be “Mets town” in NY Mets welcome event

Sportscaster Rich Eisen was not happy with Juan Soto's "Mets Town" remark following his move to the Mets and blasted him on his show.

“Get out of here,” Rich Eisen BLASTS Juan Soto for claiming New York to be “Mets town” in NY Mets welcome event

Juan Soto and Rich Eisen (Image via NY Post/Deadline)

Last Sunday, the race for Juan Soto concluded. The top free agent agreed to join the New York Mets on a massive 15-year $765 million deal, thus snubbing the New York Yankees. During the introductory press conference, the 4-time All-Star claimed that New York had been a “Mets town“.

Sportscaster Rich Eisen was not pleased with this comment and blasted him. Soto made his way to New York in 2023 when he got traded to the Yankees from the San Diego Padres. In his lone year in the Bronx, the Dominican international went on to become a fan favorite as he hit 41 home runs in the regular season.

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Despite the love and affection from the Yankee fans, the outfielder picked their cross-town rivals over them. Though this ignited some furious reactions from fans on social media, his particular remark over the Mets-Yankee rivalry even left some big industry names stunned.

In the introductory press conference, Soto claimed that New York had been a Mets town for a long time. Eisen, a lifelong Yankee fan, would take an exception regarding this comment from him. The 55-year-old slammed Soto for this remark on his show.

This one got me. It’s the last paragraph of the ESPN story where I’m reading about what yesterday was about. Juan Soto ‘It’s been a Mets town for a long time’. What is he talking about? Juan, 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. Get out of here with that noise… Get out of here. It’s a Mets town? Yeah, in your head.

Rich Eisen said on The Rich Eisen Show

Eisen further went on to compare the history of the two teams. He expressed how the championships have usually come from the Yankees and again urged Soto to get out. The Yankees are the most successful team in MLB history with 27 World Series titles.

They are also the most decorated franchise in North American sports history. On the other hand, the Mets have won two World Series rings (1969 and 1986). Judging by this, the Yankees are currently far ahead of their cross-town rivals.

Cubs star defends Juan Soto for getting a higher salary than Aaron Judge and Mookie Betts

Juan Soto‘s $765 million deal with the New York Mets will see him earn a staggering $51 million as a yearly salary. This will be much higher than stars like Aaron Judge and Mookie Betts. While many are calling this as an overpay, a Cubs star has defended this.

Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and Mookie Betts
Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and Mookie Betts (Image via Imago/Forbes)

Speaking on The Compound podcast, Ian Happ justified the number Soto will be getting. Stars like Judge and Betts get around $30 to $40 million per year. Soto is going to earn a bit more than these two stars.

The 3-time Gold Glove winner justified this amount by bringing out Soto’s age and how he broke out in the league at a young age.

Yes, the total number is massive because he was so young when he came out. But it’s $51 million a year, you’re paying guys like Mookie Betts and Aaron Judge $30-35 million a year… It’s substantially more but it’s double…He is an on-base machine, he’s a .400 OBP guy in front of Lindor, completely changes their offence as far as consistency. He plays every day.

Ian Happ said on The Compound

Soto’s salary could further increase to $55 million if he does not opt out of his deal by 2029. If this happens, the $765 million deal will eventually turn into a $805 million deal.