Breaking news: Yankees star sends Juan Soto a heartfelt five-world message.
On Monday, the New York Mets tied the New York Yankees 6–6 to wrap up their spring training schedule. Former Yankee and Mets slugger Juan Soto went 0-for-2 before being replaced in right field by Tyrone Taylor. After departing the Yankees in the offseason, Soto played them for the first time in the game. After helping the Bronx Bombers to the World Series the previous season, the 26-year-old left them to accept a 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets in free agency.
But the Yankees don’t now harbor any animosity toward Soto, at least not in public.
On Tuesday, the four-time All-Star received a heartfelt note from right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman.
Using his Instagram account, the former Mets starter referred to Soto as the “Youngest GOAT in the game” and uploaded the backpage article from The New York Post about him.
Stroman started Monday’s game and allowed two earned runs on six hits in 3.2 innings. Both runs were off of solo homers, and he also notched four strikeouts. The Post’s backpage photo shows Stroman gleefully greeting Soto, who he played with on the Yankees last season. Soto hit .289 with four homers, nine RBI, and a 1.049 OPS this spring. The 6-foot-1-inch, 224-pounder is continuing his momentum from the playoffs, when he slashed .327/.469/.633 with four homers and nine RBI in 14 games. The Yankees lost the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.
The Mets start their regular-season slate with a three-game series against the Houston Astros and another against the Miami Marlins, both on the road. Opening Day is on Thursday.
