The Juan Soto-Yankees drama seemingly isn’t over for pinstripe fans after the power-hitting star left the Bronx for the crosstown rival Mets.
On Thursday as the Yankees faced the Brewers on Opening Day, on Yankees fan was spotted wearing a Soto jersey with the named taped over to read “Sellout.”
That same fan, who saw the Yankees beat the Brewers 4-2, probably enjoyed hearing that Soto chased a pitch for a game-ending strikeout in the top of the ninth as the Mets fell to the Astros 3-1 to start the season.
With two runners on, Soto represented the winning run at the plate and it wasn’t exactly the start the Mets imagined when they inked him to a historic 15-year, $765 million contract this winter.
The Yankees acquired Soto for the 2024 season from the Padres and in paring with Aaron Judge, helped the team to its first World Series appearance since 2009.
However, the Bronx Bombers fell in five games to the Dodgers and Soto’s last Yankees game left with a sour taste.
In his ensuing free agency, Soto narrowed the field to a handful of suitors, including the Mets and Yankees, opting for Steve Cohen’s record deal over Hal Steinbrenner’s 16-year, $760 million offer.
Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets reacts after he strikes out swinging with runners on the corners ending the 9th inning. The Houston Astros defeat the New York Mets 3-1.Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
The deal didn’t just come down to terms and money, however, with Soto considering off-the-field touches as well — including a family suite and the reported treatment of his inner circle.
In the end, he signed the largest deal in baseball history and joined a Mets team that made a surprising run to the NLCS, where they took the Dodgers to six games before being eliminated.
Soto, along with Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso, could be what the Mets need to get to the World Series and claim their first championship since 1986.
aron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees celebrates with Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees after he scores on his two-run home run during the first inning on Oct. 30, 2024.Jason Szenes / New York Post
The Yankees, meanwhile, pivoted to run prevention after Soto’s exit, shoring up their pitching and defense to go with a stout offensive lineup.
It hasn’t been easy in the Bronx, though, with the Yankees suffering a slew of injuries in the early going.
The rotation took two big blows in losing Gerrit Cole to a season-ending Tommy John surgery and Luis Gil is also out for at least two to three months with a lat strain.
Slugger Giancarlo Stanton is also out indefinitely with tendinitis in both of his elbows.
