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The New York Mets made the splash of the century by signing superstar slugger Juan Soto to a jaw-dropping 15-year, $765 million deal this offseason, easily the biggest headline-grabber in MLB free agency. But just two months into the 2025 season, the move has sparked whispers, doubts, and more than a few raised eyebrows.
Over the weekend, Soto returned to Yankee Stadium for the first time since his high-profile exit, and the Bronx faithful wasted no time turning the heat up. What should’ve been a regular intercity showdown turned into a full-blown narrative fest:
Did Juan Soto want to leave the Yankees?
Yankees radio host Michael Kay dropped a bombshell, claiming, “People in the know say that Juan Soto wanted to be a Yankee. He chose the Yankees. But his family wanted him to be a Met, so he chose the Mets.” Translation? There might be more behind-the-scenes drama than we thought.
Soto, for his part, insists he’s at peace with the choice. “I’m happy,” he said when asked about the Mets move. But on the field, things tell a different story.
So far in 2025, Soto is hitting a lukewarm .247 with 8 homers and 20 RBIs, numbers that pale in comparison to his monster 2024 campaign with the Yankees (41 HR, 109 RBI) and even his 2023 stint with the Padres (35 HR, 109 RBI). In other words: he’s cooling off when the Mets needed him red hot.
Still, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza isn’t sweating it. “He’s human. He’s 26, man,” Mendoza said via MLB.com. “He’s going to be fine. He’s Juan Soto.” He also pointed out the sheer amount of change Soto is facing, from switching teams and boroughs, to adjusting to a historic contract and the pressure cooker that is New York baseball.
“He’s always been on winning teams and won a World Series. But this is new territory for him,” Mendoza added. “That’s our job—to help him.”
Whether it’s growing pains, homesickness for the Bronx, or simply the weight of a $765 million deal, Soto’s slow start has fans and analysts alike watching closely. One thing’s for sure: the spotlight on Juan Soto is only getting brighter.
So is this just a temporary slump, or the first sign that the Mets’ golden gamble might not pay off? Stay tuned., this saga is just getting started.