The rivalry between Juan Soto and the New York Yankees is set to intensify as the regular season kicks off. His recent comments against his former team have added fuel to the fire, potentially heating things up even further



Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets warms up during spring training workouts at Clover Park on February 17, 2025 in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

© Getty Images Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets warms up during spring training workouts at Clover Park on February 17, 2025 in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Juan Soto is gearing up for the 2025 MLB season with the Mets, marking his first campaign without wearing a New York Yankees uniform. However, just days ahead of the regular season, bold comments he made about the Bombers have come to light.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Soto acknowledged the Yankees’ long-standing reputation as a strong team but questioned their long-term prospects. He stated, “The Yankees were No. 1 from day one. I know the Yankees are going to be good for the next five, six years. We don’t know after that.”

Soto’s remarks may be referencing the five or six years he expects to spend with the Mets, where he aims to elevate the team’s status—especially in matchups against the Bombers, who have lost key players to injuries ahead of the regular season.

The Mets are poised for a promising 2025 season, with postseason aspirations driving them after last year’s deep run to the NLCS, where they lost to the Dodgers. That marked their first appearance in the NLCS since 2015, when they fell to the Royals in the World Series.

Juan Soto looks up

Juan Soto #22 of the New York Mets poses for a portrait at Clover Park on February 20, 2025 in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Juan Soto’s 2025 Projections

Soto is projected to have a standout 2025 season with the Mets. According to Baseball Reference, he’s expected to log 627 plate appearances, slightly fewer than the 713 he had with the Yankees in 2024. Still, his first season with his new team could yield at least 31 home runs and 86 RBIs.

Health Comparison: Mets vs. Yankees

When comparing the health of the Mets and Yankees rosters, the Mets appear to have the edge. The team has avoided losing top pitchers to injury, unlike the Yankees, who are missing Gerrit Cole. Additionally, the Mets’ top hitters remain healthy, whereas the Bombers are still uncertain about Giancarlo Stanton’s status.