The New York Mets legend David Wright has weighed in on Juan Soto’s surprising choice to leave the New York Yankees and sign with the Mets, calling it a pivotal moment for baseball in New York City. Wright’s comments came ahead of his jersey retirement ceremony and induction into the Mets Hall of Fame, highlighting the symbolic significance of Soto’s move.
Wright, a seven-time All-Star and franchise icon, praised Soto for embracing the challenge of helping transform the Mets into a perennial contender. His words underline a potential shift in the longstanding rivalry between the Mets and the Yankees, signaling a new era of competitiveness in Queens.
As the Mets continue their season, navigating bullpen challenges and roster adjustments, Wright’s perspective offers fans a renewed sense of optimism about the team’s direction under owners like Steve Cohen and the leadership of stars such as Soto, Francisco Lindor, and Pete Alonso.
What Juan Soto’s decision means for New York baseball
David Wright acknowledged the deep history and intense rivalry between the Mets and Yankees but emphasized the opportunity Soto has to redefine that narrative.
“If I was looking at this in Juan Soto’s eyes — which I’m obviously not — what an exciting and fun and great atmosphere and climate to build up the New York Mets into what the Yankees have been for so many years,” Wright told The Post.
He pointed out how the Mets were often seen as the “little brothers” in New York sports: “I don’t think it’s any secret that, for a lot of the time, the Mets were viewed as kind of the little brothers of New York…to be able to change the course of the New York Mets, that evolution to make them a perennial winner, you’d cement your legacy in the history of New York sports.”
A new chapter for the Mets
Soto’s decision to sign a record-setting 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets — the largest in sports history — stunned the baseball world. Many expected him to stay in the Bronx after just one season with the Yankees, especially following their World Series loss to the Dodgers.
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As the Mets opened the second half of their season with a mixed performance, Wright’s voice resonates beyond the scoreboard. His confidence in the team’s future underscores the evolving identity of the Mets organization.