Juan Soto ready to forget rivalry, ‘shuffle together’ with Stroman

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Yankees’ Juan Soto has moved on from his past rivalry with Marcus Stroman and is willing to extend a hand of friendship to his newest teammate in pinstripes. The recent addition of Stroman to the New York team sparked a playful exchange between the pitcher and the superstar slugger focused on the common element — a shared affection for the shuffle dance.

Juan Soto, renowned for his distinctive pre-pitching box shuffle, greeted Stroman’s arrival with a humorous comment on MLB Network’s Instagram post, stating, “We shuffle together now,” accompanied by laughter and handshake emojis. This remark harked back to a June 4th game last season when Stroman, then with the Cubs, struck out Juan Soto with a looking strikeout and amusingly imitated the shuffle movement as he exited the mound.

Juan Soto extends the hand of friendship to Stroman

In response, Stroman shared the clip on his Instagram story, playfully addressing Juan Soto as “Mi hermano” (Spanish for “my brother”). This light-hearted interaction unveils a budding camaraderie between the players, injecting a sense of fun into the Yankees’ offseason maneuvers.

Stroman, aged 32, joined the Yankees after opting out of his contract with the Chicago Cubs. Armed with All-Star experience and a commendable pitching track record, including a 3.95 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 119 strikeouts in 136 2/3 innings last season, the Yankees undoubtedly anticipate his on-field success. Yet, for now, fans can relish the delightful bond developing between him and Juan Soto, promising entertaining moments both on and off the field.

Former National League rivals, Juan Soto and Marcus Stroman, now find themselves donning the same pinstripes for the New York Yankees, and the recent signing of Stroman has sparked a playful exchange on social media, suggesting a burgeoning camaraderie on and off the field.

Juan Soto, renowned for his distinctive pre-pitch shuffle, took to MLB Network’s Instagram post to celebrate, commenting, “We shuffle together now,” accompanied by laughter and handshake emojis. The comment harked back to a memorable June 4th game last season when Stroman, then with the Cubs, struck out Juan Soto with a looking strikeout and responded with a mock shuffle toward the mound.

Stroman, embracing the lighthearted banter, reposted the clip on his Instagram story, playfully referring to Juan Soto as “Mi hermano” (Spanish for “my brother”). This amiable exchange hints at a growing connection between the players, adding an enjoyable dimension to the Yankees’ offseason narrative.

The deadly duo

Beyond the shuffle camaraderie, the on-field potential of this dynamic duo is noteworthy. Juan Soto, a three-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger, boasts a career .946 OPS and has displayed a formidable track record against Stroman (one homer, one double, four walks in 14 at-bats). Stroman, a 2023 All-Star, brings consistent pitching with a 3.65 career ERA. The distinct yet complementary nature of their skill sets has fans envisioning a formidable force in the heart of the Yankees’ lineup and rotation.

While Stroman may be relieved to avoid facing Juan Soto at the plate, their competitive spirit is likely to translate into a positive push for success within the team. This, coupled with their playful connection, suggests a dynamic that could extend beyond the diamond, fostering team morale and entertaining the Bronx faithful.

In essence, the addition of Stroman not only strengthens the Yankees’ pitching staff but also injects a dose of fun into the clubhouse. The “shuffle duo” of Juan Soto and Stroman has the potential to become a fan-favorite spectacle, both for their on-field contributions and their lighthearted camaraderie.

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