Juan Soto helped the New York Yankees attain the World Sequence in his sole season with the workforce in 2024. The Yankees had been hoping to signal the 26-year-old proper fielder to a long run extension in the course of the offseason however Soto ended up agreeing to a $765 million contract with the New York Mets in free company.
Now, Soto is getting ready to face his former workforce for the primary time since selecting to hitch the crosstown rivals when the Mets start a three-game collection at Yankee Stadium Friday.
Soto instructed reporters that he’s excited for the upcoming Subway Sequence. Surprisingly, he’s most excited for the gang, in response to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo on X. When reminded that Yankees followers’ reactions may be unkind, with loads of booing (and worse) directed at him, Soto mentioned, “I don’t thoughts.”
Juan Soto is able to lead his Mets into Yankee Stadium
The four-time All-Star loved a superb debut season with the Yankees in 2024. He hit 41 residence runs with a .989 OPS and seven.9 bWAR in 157 video games. Soto completed third in MVP voting and received his fifth Silver Slugger.
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In fact, his teammate Aaron Decide received AL MVP honors final season, main the majors in various offensive stats, together with residence runs (58), RBI (144), OPS (1.159) and bWAR (10.8). Whereas Decide is on his technique to one other monster season, Soto struggled early on along with his new workforce.
A sluggish begin had some labeling Soto a disappointment. However he’s since heated up. The Mets’ famous person free agent addition is slashing .255/.380/.465 with eight residence runs, 20 RBI, 31 runs scored and a 144 OPS+ in 43 video games.
His resurgence on the plate has Soto and the Mets again on monitor. New York now has the second-most wins in baseball and a 28-16 report. They’ve a 2.5-game lead over the second-place Philadelphia Phillies within the NL East.
The Yankees are additionally enjoying nicely. At 25-18, they’ve a 3.5-game lead over the Toronto Blue Jays. And Decide’s season compares favorably to Barry Bonds’ finest yr.
Whereas each New York groups have early division leads, there might be extra at stake for Yankees followers on Friday. The fanbase little doubt took it personally when Soto selected the Mets over the Yankees – particularly after spending a season within the Bronx. The plenty will let Soto hear it when he returns to Yankee Stadium. And Soto is trying ahead to each final boo.