It seems like Juan Soto is not done with the Yankees. His recent interview with the New York Post, talking about having Aaron Judge batting behind him in the lineup, didn’t sit well with either the Yankees or the Mets fans. While he might not have meant any harm, most refuse to see it as an innocent mistake!
The Yankees announcer, Michael Kay, is no exception.
It all started when Soto mentioned that life at the plate was easier with Judge’s presence, as pitchers were less inclined to pitch around him, knowing Judge was next. Now with the Mets, he is experiencing a different approach from pitchers, acknowledging the adjustment in his new lineup.
“It’s definitely different. I had the best hitter in baseball hitting behind me, was getting more attacked and more pitches in the strike zone, fewer intentional walks, and things like that. I was pitched differently last year.“
While Soto highlighted how it feels to get protected by the league’s best hitter, is he downplaying Pete Alonso? “I am wondering why you would even say this. Where is the pressure coming from, Juan? I haven’t heard Met fans rip you. I haven’t heard Met fans uh run out of patience because you’ve gotten off to a somewhat slow start,” Kay went no-holds-barred in his podcast with Yankee “Freakin” Otaku.
So yes, Kay took Juan Soto’s recent comments as a subtle humiliation at the Mets and Pete Alonso — even if that wasn’t his intention.
As of mid-April 2025, Juan Soto has drawn 2 intentional walks in the current season with the Mets, following 18 games. And in his 2024 season with the Yankees, he recorded 2 intentional walks over 157 games. Moreover, he got 46.5% pitches last season compared to a career-low 43.2% so far this season.
That stat kind of proves Soto’s point. Pitchers are less willing to challenge him in the zone now that he’s not got Aaron Judge looming behind him. This might be making Soto frustrated and recall his time with Aaron Judge.
For Pete Alonso, he has an OPS+ of 227 this year, which is better than Aaron Judge’s 223 last year. Those are MVP-caliber stats in the early going. So if pitchers are still pitching around Soto despite Alonso smashing, it says a lot about how much fear Soto puts into opposing staffs.
“Now, if I’m a Mets fan, not only does it bother me that you seem like you have this wanderlust for a guy that you left, but it’s also kind of a back-handed slap at Pete Alonso,” Kay added about how Soto chose the Mets over the Yankees by choice, and now downplaying his current team. While Soto’s comment might be unintentional, it has gone out of context now. Unnecessary, considering how Soto is just going fine this year.
Alonso is doing fine behind Soto
Last year, Soto had Aaron Judge behind him; this year, it’s Pete Alonso. Well, Judge’s 2024 campaign was historic, leading the majors in home runs and RBIs while maintaining a high batting average. However, Alonso was also hitting well last year. Alonso had a .240 BA compared to .322 of Aaron Judge. So yes, while he might not be the Aaron Judge, still enough to protect Juan Soto.
While Judge got 6 homers and 20 RBIs this year, Alonso is standing at 5 homers and 21 RBIs. Hence, Soto should not have any issue hitting with Alonso behind. “I’m not going to beat around the bush. He’s got one of the best hitters in baseball behind him: Alonso.” Even Aaron Judge is impressed with Alonso this year.
Honestly, it might just be that pitchers are more comfortable navigating Alonso (even in this form) than facing Soto straight-up, which is wild. Well, maybe they’re still adjusting to this new-look Mets lineup and giving Soto more respect than even he expected. But what follows is fewer hits for Soto this year.
Yes, Soto is yet to find his rhythm, but still offering a worthy performance for the Mets. He has made a strong impression in his debut season with the team. As of April 16, he’s batting .250 with 3 home runs, 7 RBIs, and an OPS of .859. Moreover, his two-run homer on April 14 against the Twins announced his arrival on the scene.
So, if Alonso keeps this up, pitchers won’t be able to avoid Soto for long. Think this Mets lineup is about to flip the narrative?
The post Yankees Announcer Demands Mets Fans Be MAD at Juan Soto Over Pete Alonso Insult: “Why Would You Even Say This?” appeared first on EssentiallySports.
