Juan Soto’s debut with the New York Mets on Opening Day Thursday may have been among the most highly anticipated in recent memory. In December 2024, Soto spurned the New York Yankees and signed a 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets instead. In a story published Tuesday, Mets owner Steve Cohen told Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci he gave the 26-year-old the largest contract in MLB history because, “There wasn’t going to be another player like him on the market maybe in the next five, six, seven years.”

In the bottom of the ninth inning against the Houston Astros, Soto had the perfect opportunity to demonstrate why Cohen showed him the money. However, he faltered. Soto struck out with the Mets trailing 3-1 and runners on third and first. Not sure why but Soto waving at a pitch 16 inches out of the strike zone to end the game makes me hate the Yankees even more. pic.twitter.com/0qGDM8uZIe — Cousin Sal (@TheCousinSal) March 27, 2025 In a post on his X account, comedian Sal Iacono implied he wished the Yankees didn’t let Soto sign with the Mets.

Generational talent right there pic.twitter.com/55FpAFOjpN — Gary Sheffield Jr. (@GarysheffieldJr) March 27, 2025 Meanwhile, Gary Sheffield Jr. – the son of former Yankees star Gary Sheffield – suggested Soto is overrated. The end of the game spoiled a decent debut for Soto. He went 1-of-3 at the plate and drew two walks.

“For me, it was a good experience,” Soto said of his debut with the Mets in a postgame news conference. “These guys are amazing. We’ve been having a good time since spring training, so we’ve just got to bring that all the way.” With 161 regular-season games remaining, Soto still has plenty of time to make MLB fans forget about him failing to step up in the clutch in his Mets debut.