Port St. Lucy – Juan Soto praised the opportunity to reunite with his “brothers” on Monday at the Mets' final Grapefruitreug match.
On the other side was the Yankees. At least it's like a representation of the Mets' Crosstown rivalry, with most key players missing.
For Soto, who supported the Yankees last season in the World Series, he had the opportunity to share some embraces and laughs with his former teammates after losing to the Mets on a record $765 million contract in 15 years.
“It was a great feeling to get in touch with those guys a little,” Soto said after a 6-6 tie at Clover Park. “I have a lot of memories from last year. I'm personally happy with them just to see them and see them doing well as a team.”
Soto was booed at the Home Spring Training Ballpark by many Yankees fans present, but preferred to fill up the glass.
“I think there was a lot of cheers there, so I took it all in and I was happy with the fans who cheered on their players and the fans who went from there,” Soto said.
Before the game he was called up with former manager Aaron Boone. He said he told Soto that he looked “bad” in the Mets uniform.
Soto wasn't offended.
“It's just a boony, he probably doesn't like orange and blue,” Soto said. “But for me, it's a different feeling that people who went through last year faced there, and it was a really enjoyable experience. [Marcus] Stroman, the guy I was in touch with last year and we've had good conversations in the past, so it was pretty cool. ”
The Metro series consists of six games from the regular season (from four last year), giving Soto many opportunities for interaction with his old fans this summer.
It will start with three games in the Bronx in mid-May.
“Yankees fans, they can surprise you with anything, so I'm hoping for the worst,” Soto said.
The Yankees had a rough spring, but in particular lost Gerrit Cole to Tommy John's surgery, and Lewis Gill landed him on the 60-day injured list.
Soto said he knows well what happened with the Yankees.
“We feel like brothers now. I'm in touch with a lot of people over there so I definitely know what's going on,” Soto said.
The All-Star outfielder was asked to evaluate the Mets after six weeks in camp with his new team.
The Mets will beat camp after a flight game to Houston on Monday, where they will open Thursday.
The team will be opening a season with Sean Mania (Axis), Frankie Montas (Rat Co.), Francisco Alvarez (Rehabilitates from surgery to remove broken Hamate bones in his left hand) and Jeff McNeill (Axis).
“I think we're in a really good place,” Soto said. “We're a really talented group. We have a lot of people. We have a lot of outfielders. We have a lot of infielders, so I think we're really loaded as a team. I can't wait for these guys to get out there.
The Mets are expected to compete against the Braves and Phillies of the NL East Crown.
Naturally, Soto has not chosen the Braves or Phillies to win the division.
“I expect you to be on top all the time,” he said. “It doesn't matter who's in the department. I think we're still on top.”
