For $765 million, one would think Juan Soto knew exactly what he was signing up for when he came to the New York Mets. The expectations, the rivalry with their crosstown rivals New York Yankees, aka Soto’s ex! These are all part of the package, right? But, one thing still caught Soto off guard: the number of fans the Mets have!
Yes, you read that right. When asked about what surprised him most about joining such a storied franchise, Soto didn’t mention the sheer energy of the Mets fans at Citi Field, the historic contract, or anything else. He said, “How many fans do they have? I am surprised at all the fans and everybody.” That’s not all.
The 26-year-old star even pointed out that he was shocked by the fact that the team had supporters in Houston. Naturally, the Mets fans were not thrilled to hear their new franchise cornerstone was surprised they existed! Plus, it’s pretty hypocritical of Soto too.
Yes we have fans! pic.twitter.com/N579epj8Ts
— Evan Roberts (@EvanRobertsWFAN) March 29, 2025
This is because Juan Soto is the same guy who, not too long ago, boldly claimed in his first press conference with the Mets, “It’s been a Mets town for a long time.” So… which is it? This direct contradiction doesn’t sit well with fans who have spent years defending their team’s standing in the Big Apple’s baseball scene.
To make matters worse—or rather, more awkward—Soto hasn’t exactly been on fire from the start. Yes, he launched his first Mets home run, but that was in game 2. His opening-day performance was lackluster, and he went 1-for-3 with two walks and a strikeout to close out the game.
For someone who made history by signing the most expensive contract in baseball history, this performance doesn’t cut it. Expectations aren’t just high— they are sky-high. The Mets didn’t invest in him for 15 years just to see mediocrity; they expect him to be the face of the franchise and a player who embraces the team’s legacy, not someone surprised by their fan base. And as you can imagine, Mets fans had a lot to say about his unexpected statement.
Juan Soto’s Mets era is off to a rocky start with fans
Juan Soto’s teammates have said that he is adjusting well to life with the Mets. But it doesn’t seem that way. He seems not to associate himself as a Met, even now! One fan pointed this out, saying it’s ‘we,’ not ‘they,’ referring to how Soto addressed the fans. Soto has a lot of eyes on him, not just from Yankee fans waiting for a mishap, but also from the Mets fans who are closely watching his every move.
Not they, Juan… it’s we!
— EddieMolo (@Eddiemolo) March 29, 2025
Juan Soto’s comment may seem harmless, but it has left fans feeling hurt. One even said that the issue isn’t about showing up to the ballpark, it’s about the sentiment behind his words, which doesn’t resonate with the spirit of baseball. While the Mets have struggled in the past, this season feels different. In fact, according to ESPN BET, the New York Mets are tied with the Phillies at 10-1 odds to win the World Series. They are serious contenders, backed by a substantial payroll.
They just don’t show up to the ballpark
— Bronx Bombers Beat (@bomberbeat2) March 29, 2025
Juan Soto has already faced plenty of backlash from the Yankee fans. One such fan might have pointed out sarcastically how the Mets’ most expensive player is surprised they have fans. Ouch! This likely stings for Mets fans because Soto was paid an arm and a leg to come into the franchise. Not just money, but many perks from a suite to free tickets and more. Given all that, mocking the team’s fanbase probably wasn’t on their list of expectations.
Your most expensive player ever is surprised the team has fans….
— 𝕴𝖓𝖈𝖔𝖓𝖓𝖚 (@WSleeps28517) March 29, 2025
Juan Soto received plenty of flak after his first regular-season game with the Mets. One fan bluntly called him “the worst.” But when it comes to Soto, one thing is for sure—he is used to the New York crowd, thanks to his year-long debacle with the Yankees. So he wasn’t fazed. “I remember when I was a kid, they used to tell me, ‘If they’re not booing you, you’re not doing things right. I feel like every time they’re booing me, it means something for me,” Soto said. This is just the beginning, though!
The worst.
— Looper. (@patrickgillon1) March 29, 2025
A user was quick to suggest that Soto made the wrong choice by coming to the Mets. But the Dominican star isn’t second-guessing anything. He told Newsday, “The best is coming.” He made it clear that he is confident about what lies ahead, as he believes he is entering his prime and the best years are still waiting for him. And he had previously mentioned that his biggest reason to make it to the Mets was because it’s a winning organization.
see he made the wrong choice
— The Yankees Len (@yanksnews_more) March 29, 2025
At the end of the day, Soto might have just been bamboozled by the sheer fanbase of the Mets. And in a good way! What do you think about this entire debacle? Let us know.
The post Mets Fans Fume as Juan Soto’s Shocked Reaction to Their Passion Ignites Disappointment appeared first on EssentiallySports.
