Juan Soto Faces Backlash from Mets, Yankees Fans After Surprise Remarks

NEW YORK, NY — Juan Soto, the newly acquired left fielder for the New York Mets, surprised fans on March 29, 2025, when he admitted he didn’t anticipate the level of support the team has across the country. The former New York Yankees star made the remarks ahead of his debut with the Mets, following a historic $765 million contract that raised eyebrows in MLB.

Fans from both sides of the New York baseball rivalry reacted sharply to Soto’s comments. During a press conference, he questioned, “How many fans do they have? I am surprised at all the fans and everybody,” while highlighting the extensive support from Mets fans even in distant cities like Houston, over 1,600 miles from New York.

Many fans perceived Soto’s statement as disrespectful, especially after he previously declared in a press conference that New York had been a Mets town for a long time. His comments have now led some to wonder about his commitment to the team and its fanbase.

The 26-year-old player, who gained notoriety for his performance with the Yankees, made headlines when he signed with the Mets. The hefty contract eclipsed the previous record held by MLB MVP Shohei Ohtani. The trade has sent a shockwave through New York, with Mets supporters hopeful about the potential success, and Yankees fans feeling betrayed.

“We had just lost the World Series, and now we hear our former player saying he didn’t expect Mets fans to be so passionate,” one Yankees supporter said angrily. “It feels like a slap in the face.”

Despite the backlash, Mets fans expressed excitement over Soto’s potential contributions to the team. Soto enters the 2025 season with a commendable .285 batting average and 201 home runs over his career, poised to make a strong impact in the lineup alongside other stars.

Steve Cohen, the billionaire owner of the Mets, noted the significance of acquiring such talent at a pivotal time for the organization. “This was an opportunity to bring someone in at an age where you were getting him in his prime years. It’s pretty rare,” Cohen said.

As Soto prepares for his Mets debut against the Houston Astros, fans continue to speculate about his future with the team and whether he can win over the skeptical fan base. “It’s time for him to step up and show us why we should care,” said one longtime Mets supporter. “We want champions, not just big contracts.”