Juan Soto’s return to Yankee Stadium in mid-May will highlight a must-watch series against the New York Mets.
But will he — or should he? — be celebrated with a tribute video when the series begins on May 16?
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According to The New York Post’s Joel Sherman, the answer as of now, nine days before Opening Day, is “no.” Sherman pointed out that the Yankees have a high threshold for these “thank-you” videos — in 2020, Joe Girardi (manager of Philadelphia Phillies) and Didi Gregorius (shortstop of Phillies) got one, and in 2022, the Yankees played one for then-Minnesota Twins catcher Gary Sanchez and third baseman Gio Urshela.
Per Sherman:
When I asked a few Yankees executives about the two Mets, they suggested not likely for Soto because he only played one year for the team and probably a yes for (Clay) Holmes, who was a Yankee for 3 ½ seasons.
Despite Soto’s incredible 2024 campaign that got the Yankees into the World Series, he still only played one season in pinstripes. Yes, it was an incredible one: He posted a 178 OPS+ with a .288/.419/.569 line, 41 home runs and 109 RBIs in the regular season. He went 16 for 49 with four home runs, three doubles and 14 walks in 14 playoff games, giving him a .327/.469/.633 line.
That helped him land a 15-year, $765 million contract (that can reach $805 million) with the Mets and effectively reject the Yankees, who offered $760 million over 16 years.
The Mets’ new right fielder is locked in and ready for the regular season: In 12 spring traning games (32 plate appearances), he’s hit .357/.438/.857 with four home runs and eight RBIs. He will bat No. 2, between leadoff hitter Francisco Lindor and third-place hitter Pete Alonso.
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