Did Soto want to be a Yankee?
Juan Soto returned to the Bronx for the first time as a member of the New York Mets last weekend, triggering a reaction storm. One of the most surprising, however, was a new report saying that he had never wanted to leave the New York Yankees in the first place.
Soto signed the greatest contract in the history of baseball during the offseason; 15 years and $ 765 million. At least. As one of the most dreaded strikers in sport, and his youth, he was not 27 years before the end of October, it was not a total surprise that he obtained a record contract.
Yankees fans were naturally disappointed that Soto rejected the organization for their crosstown rival, and they let him hear it as soon as they could. As strong as possible.
READ: Juan Soto exploded by hoots in return to Yankee Stadium, fans turn their back
But is it possible that Soto wanted to end his career in the Bronx after all?
New York – Juan Soto from New York Mets poses with his new uniform after his introductory press conference at Citi Field on December 12, 2024. (Photo of Al Bello / Getty Images)
Juan Soto could have preferred to stay with the Yankees
The Yankees broadcaster, Michael Kay, said in his radio program, “The Michael Kay Show”, which he spent hours before Sunday’s match speaking to senior officials in the Yankees and food clubs about Soto. And had some surprising conclusions after his conversations.
“The people I have spoken to the food side, and they can deny it publicly, because, of course, that’s what they have to do, it is very, very dark around the clubhouse,” said Kay. “He doesn’t have a jump in his step. He doesn’t smile much. I’m not going to say that he is unhappy. Because how can you be unhappy with a $ 765 million contract? But money is not a guarantee that you are going to be comfortable somewhere.
“Why is he not happy? It comes back to that. I will say it now, and he will be refused. Of course, it must be refused. But I talked to people I respect. He wanted to return to the Yankees,” said Kay. “It was his preference. His family said,” You go to the food. “His family felt very comfortable with Alex and Steve Cohen. And it’s a guy who listens to his family.
We will never have confirmation of this of one of the parties involved, for obvious reasons. But Kay is essentially part of the organization of the Yankees and surely has many contacts in the organization Mets. And it is doubtful that he completely invents something just for a story.
Soto has only been on the dishes for a few months, and settled could take time. Although he had a hard time, it is not as if his performance in attack so far had been disastrous. He was also extremely unlucky; Its average base weighted on average basic is 0.435, while its real is only 0.359. The quality of the contact was there, the results did not do so.
Similarly, its average stick on the balls in play in 2024 was 0.298. So far this year? Only .258. However, it has been a farmer much higher than the average so far, with 132 weighted points created more, where 100 is the average of the league.
There is nothing about his figures to say that he does not jostle or do not try because he is unhappy.
So why would he want to stay with the Yankees? Well, we cannot say that it is a more “historical” franchise. There is a mystic to put on the uniform of the Yankees, playing the Yankee Stadium, as well as the exhibition and the attention that brings. He may also have appreciated playing with Aaron Judge, creating the formidable punch 1-2 in 2024. Even if the dishes were very successful and regularly attract big crowds, they are still clearly the second team in New York.
Soto may have preferred the Yankees, but there are 765 million reasons for him to be very happy in Queens. Especially if they continue to win.
