Juan Soto seemed “off” during his time at the Mets clubhouse, and there were whispers about his desire to return to the Yankees. A major radio host, Michael Kay, mentioned on his show that Soto might have wanted to sign a massive 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets this offseason.
There’s been a lot of buzz since Soto didn’t show up in the Bronx over the weekend. Kay explained how he chatted with various connections from both the Yankees and Mets prior to Saturday’s game, arriving early and spending hours talking.
“The Mets can say whatever they want; it’s expected,” he noted. “Soto does have a certain heaviness about him. He’s not bouncing around or smiling much. I mean, can you really be unhappy with a contract worth $765 million?”
The question remains: Why did he end up with the Mets? Kay asserted that Soto’s preference was to stay with the Yankees, but his family influenced the decision to join the Mets instead, as they felt more at ease around team executives Alex and Steve Cohen.
“There’s a reason he isn’t smiling,” Kay added. “What I’m saying might not sit well, but I’ve heard from people I trust. He wanted the Yankees, but his family nudged him towards the Mets. He’s someone who listens to them.”
This was just one of two reports that came out on the same day, both highlighting Soto’s inconsistent happiness.
Another source noted that the Mets’ management is concerned about Soto’s apparent lack of enthusiasm for his new team. It was suggested that he seemed most animated only when interacting with Yankees players like Aaron Judge during batting practice.
As the pressure builds around Soto, the spotlight is definitely on. In the Mets’ recent loss to the Red Sox, Soto managed only one hit in four at-bats, a lackluster performance that’s likely to amplify the scrutiny even more.
