Juan Soto reveals he hasn’t spoken to former Yankees teammates since World Series ended

The New York Mets officially introduced Juan Soto as a member on Thursday. Soto signed a mammoth 15-year, $765 million deal as a free agent this offseason.

During the Mets's press conference to introduce their newest acquisition, the media interviewed Juan Soto.

With all usual pleasantries forthcoming, one reporter asked Soto if he had spoken to his former New York Yankees teammates since the season ended.

“No, I haven’t talked to them," Juan Soto admitted. "I talked to them through the playoffs, the end of the playoffs. But after that, through this process, I haven’t talked to anybody.”

While surprising, Soto’s admission makes sense. He was involved in a significant negotiation process that was kept secret. As such, all parties involved needed to be careful with their conversations, as one misplaced comment could have derailed negotiations.

But now that the ink is dry on Juan Soto’s new deal, there’s a chance he’ll reconnect with former Yankees teammates like Aaron Judge.

While Soto and the Yankees will be foes on the field, they’ll hopefully continue being friends away from game time. It will be a fascinating spectacle when Soto returns to Yankee Stadium wearing a Mets uniform.

Juan Soto’s new contract could surpass the $800 million mark

Juan Soto with his New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza. (Credits: IMAGN)

The official numbers on Soto’s new contract with the New York Mets are 15 years, $765 million. However, the contract includes an opt-out clause after five seasons.

In other words, Soto could bail from New York in 2029, becoming an unrestricted free agent. But there is a catch to that opt-out clause. If the Mets increase the contract’s AAV (Average annual value) for the final ten seasons, the team can void Soto’s opt-out clause.

If the Mets choose that route, the deal’s total value could surpass the $800 million mark, landing at a cool $805 million. That amount would raise the AAV to $53.66 million.

The staggering figure underscores the Mets’ remarkable commitment to Soto. The team's owner, Steve Cohen, called Soto a “generational talent,” meaning he was willing to risk his money.

With Mets fans eager to see the team win a World Series title for the first time since 1986, Soto appears to be a step in that direction. While the Mets have other free agents to sign, such as first baseman Pete Alonso, having Soto in the fold means they have a player they can build around for the foreseeable future.

Only time will tell if Soto’s generational talent translates into World Series championships and a Hall of Fame resume.