NEW YORK — The rivalry between the New York Mets and New York Yankees has been heating up all winter. Both teams battled for Cody Bellinger. They competed for Freddy Peralta. Now Juan Soto just added more fuel to the fire with a social media post that has fans on both sides buzzing.
The 27-year-old Mets slugger took to Instagram this weekend and shared something unexpected. Out of nowhere, Soto reposted an MLB Network graphic showcasing his and Aaron Judge’s numbers from the 2024 season. That lone year together in the Bronx. The year they reached the World Series.
Fans noticed immediately. So did the baseball world.
The post that stirred the pot
Soto did not add any caption or explanation. He simply shared the graphic to his Instagram Story. The image highlighted the dominant numbers both sluggers put up during their magical 2024 campaign together.
That season, Soto posted a .288 batting average, .989 OPS and 7.9 WAR. He blasted 41 home runs and drove in 109 RBIs. Judge was even better, hitting .322 with a 1.159 OPS and 10.8 WAR. The Yankees captain crushed 58 home runs and tallied 144 RBIs.
Together they combined for 99 home runs and 253 RBIs. They helped lead the Yankees to the Fall Classic before losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.
To the eyes of Yankees fans, Soto was sending a message. Some viewed it as nostalgia. Others saw it as rubbing salt in an open wound.
Reactions split across both fan bases
The post sparked a range of emotions across MLB social media. Some hopeful Yankees fans wondered if Soto still treasures his time in the Bronx. A few even speculated about a possible return down the road.
“When can he opt out? I’d love to have him back in pinstripes as I’m sure he would love to be back too,” one fan questioned on social media.
Not everyone shared that optimistic view. Many Yankees supporters remain bitter about how the 2024 offseason played out. The Mets landed Soto with a 15-year, $765 million offer. The Yankees came in at $760 million. A $5 million difference decided everything.
“He left over 5 mil. I hate this man,” a fan remarked. “Don’t care. He chose to chase the $$ and a suite for his mommy,” another wrote.
Mets fans had their own concerns. Watching their $765 million investment reminisce about his time with the cross-town rivals is not exactly reassuring. Some questioned whether Soto truly feels at home in Queens.
This is not the first time Soto raised eyebrows
The Instagram story adds to a pattern. Last season Soto made waves when he said it felt different hitting alongside Judge. He called the Yankees captain the best hitter in baseball. At the time, Pete Alonso was batting behind him in the Mets lineup.
When Judge won his second consecutive AL MVP Award in November, Soto commented on his Instagram post with just one word: “CAPITAN!!” with a salute emoji. That simple comment set off another round of reactions from fans who cannot let go of what could have been.
The bond between Soto and Judge remains strong despite playing for rival teams. That friendship only makes the situation more painful for Yankees fans who watched them tear through the American League together.
Soto’s first Mets season and the road ahead
The 2025 campaign did not go as planned for Soto or the Mets. He hit .263 with a career-high 43 home runs and 105 RBIs. He led the National League with 127 walks and a .396 on-base percentage. He also stole a career-best 38 bases, joining the 30-30 club for the first time.
But the team finished 83-79 and missed the playoffs. The Mets made sweeping changes this offseason. They signed Bo Bichette to a three-year, $126 million deal. They traded for Luis Robert Jr. to play center field. They added Freddy Peralta to anchor the rotation.
Soto now has new protection in the lineup with Bichette batting behind him. The Mets hope that makes him even more dangerous in 2026.
What exactly Soto meant by his Instagram post remains unclear. Maybe he was simply reminiscing about a career year with no hidden agenda. Or maybe the star outfielder wanted everyone to remember what he and Judge accomplished together. Either way, the Subway Series rivalry just got a little more interesting.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
You all keep forgetting the Yankees offer was 16 years@760 vs the Mets 15@765 plus incentives bringing it over 800 mil. It wasn’t a 5 mil difference.