The recent transfer of Juan Soto from the Yankees to the Mets, accompanied by a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract, sparked varied reactions among Yankees fans. But as of this Opening Day while some expressed intense frustration, others found creative ways to cope with the player’s departure.
As Soto suited up for the Mets, the Bronx responded in memes
While Juan Soto suited up for the Mets for the first time on Thursday, Yankees fans were busy doing something else: processing his departure in ways only they could. Some clung to frustration, still stunned by the front office’s decision to let Soto walk across town. Others turned to humor and creativity, flooding social media with memes, edits, and tongue-in-cheek “thank you” videos, treating Soto’s exit not just as a loss—but as a cultural event.
Meanwhile in Texas, the much-hyped Mets debut for Soto and their retooled lineup didn’t go as planned. Facing Framber Valdez and the Astros, the Mets managed just six singles and couldn’t cash in during their best opportunities, falling 3-1 in their season opener at Daikin Park. Soto reached base three times and laced a single in his first official at-bat, but struck out with the tying runs on base to end the game. So much for liftoff.
Former Yankees reliever Clay Holmes, now a starter for Houston, played a key role in muting Soto’s impact. Holmes, who hadn’t started a regular-season game since 2018, worked into the fifth inning and held the Mets to three earned runs. He stranded the bases loaded in the second by striking out Jose Altuve and benefited from a key double play in the fourth. It was a quietly effective outing in a game that never quite lived up to the billing of Soto’s blockbuster arrival.
Reactions amplified by rivalry
Soto’s move to the Mets, direct rivals of the Yankees, heightened fan emotions significantly. Historically, the rivalry between these two teams has always been fierce, and losing a star player like Soto intensified those feelings even more. Reports emerged of Yankees fans burning Soto’s jerseys in protest.
Yet, during the Yankees’ 4-2 Opening Day victory on Thursday, some fans responded more humorously by taping over Soto’s name on their jerseys. Manager Aaron Boone acknowledged Soto’s past contributions, saying, “Juan Soto was unbelievable for us. I know what Shohei did over in the National League… Judgey’s got him by over 100 OPS.” Boone had previously joked with Soto, warning he’d look terrible in a Mets uniform, a playful remark that gained fresh significance after Soto signed the largest contract in American sports history and was officially introduced by his new club hours later.
Juan Soto, at 26, began Opening Day for the 2025 MLB season holding a career .285 batting average, 201 home runs, and a .953 OPS. The four-time All-Star and 2019 World Series champion debuted for the Mets on Thursday against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park.
Last December, immediate outrage toward Soto’s decision to join the Mets was vividly captured when a video surfaced showing his former Yankees No. 22 jersey engulfed in flames. Shared widely by a fan identified as ‘Anthony,’ the video quickly surpassed one million views, attracting global attention.
“Mets fans in the replies, I don’t give a s***,” Anthony tweeted. “At least my favorite player knows what loyalty is.”
Other Yankees fans also vented their frustration publicly. One particularly vocal supporter mocked Citi Field, Soto’s new baseball home, calling it a “dump” and a “s***hole,” questioning why Soto would choose such a place for the next 15 years of his career.
Soto had played 157 games for the Yankees in 2024, batting .288, hitting 41 home runs, and driving in 109 RBIs. He finished third in the AL MVP race and helped guide the Yankees to the World Series, where they ultimately fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.
Soto’s new deal eclipsed the previous MLB record set by Shohei Ohtani, who signed a heavily deferred $700 million contract with the Dodgers in December 2023, by a considerable $65 million.
Mets fans celebrated the blockbuster addition enthusiastically, while Yankees supporters felt increasingly overshadowed in New York’s intensifying baseball rivalry.
“Juan Soto wasn’t with the Yankees by choice—he got traded there. He left ASAP,” one fan tweeted, suggesting Soto was always looking for the largest paycheck. Another echoed the sentiment, sarcastically noting Soto’s inevitable move toward money.
However, some took the spectacle of burning a $100 jersey with a sense of humor, questioning the logic behind such an intense reaction.
Meanwhile, Soto’s controversial remarks during his introduction further fueled Yankees fans’ anger. Declaring that New York had long been a “Mets city” and suggesting future championships would settle which team truly owned the city, Soto drew immediate backlash from Yankees supporters and media alike.
Juan Soto’s transfer not only reshaped the dynamics between the Yankees and Mets but also triggered a spectrum of reactions among Yankees fans. The intensity and creativity of their responses highlight the profound passion fans hold for their teams and the sport itself.
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