MLB legend makes feelings known on Juan Soto's $765,000,000 deal, compares Yankees and Mets in New York to Cubs and White Sox in Chicago

The New York Mets may have caused a seismic shift in their rivalry with the New York Yankees after signing Juan Soto to a 15-year, $765 million contract this month, according to former All-Star Keith Hernandez. He said that the Mets have always lived in the shadow of the Yankees in New York, just as the White Sox have lagged behind the Cubs in popularity in Chicago.

Keith Hernandez was named the 1979 National League MVP for the St. Louis Cardinals and clinched the World Series in 1982. He joined the New York Mets the next year and won the World Series again in 1986, which is the last time the Mets lifted the Commissioner's Trophy. Hernandez is currently a part of the Mets television broadcast team on SNY.

Hernandez, on the Nothing Personal with David Samson podcast, offered his thoughts on the Mets winning the Juan Soto sweepstakes after owner Steve Cohen offered a record-breaking sum to sign the free agent. (1:24 - 8:15)

"I think that Soto is a game-changer for the Mets," he said. "Remember, the Mets are in New York. They're like the White Sox are in Chicago with the Cubs. They're the little kid on the block and always the Yankees stealing the headlines. The Yankees in the past have poached from the Mets with David Cone, Dwight Gooden, Daryl Strawberry, and Joe Torre. So, this is like the Mets have poached the Yankees for a change. They got their big player.

"The Yankees, from what I've read, they wanted to sign him and were very much in the hunt," he added. "I don't think they were going to outbid Steve Cohen, and this is very much different for the Mets fans. They have an ownership that has deep pockets. I know Steve; I've had conversations with him. He's a busy man, but he wants to win, and he's got the wherewithal."

Steve Cohen is regarded as the wealthiest owner of all the major league teams, with an estimated worth of $21 billion.

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Fallout for New York teams after Juan Soto contract

Mets owner Steve Cohen had to pay a record sum to snatch Juan Soto from the Yankees (Image Source: Imagn)

Signed by the New York Yankees for his final season before reaching free agency, Juan Soto enjoyed a hugely successful campaign. However, he declined a $760 million bid from the Yankees to return to the Bronx. Soto, instead, opted to head for Queens, signing a $765 million contract with the Yankees' crosstown rivals New York Mets.

Since then, both teams from the Big Apple have been busy in the offseason market. The Yankees signed left-handed ace Max Fried along with former MVPs Cody Bellinger and Paul Golschmidt. Meanwhile, the Mets added Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes to their rotation before re-signing Sean Manaea.