Juan Soto’s exit from the New York Yankees has been anything but smooth. He surprised everyone, not because he had taken the New York Mets deal. But because he declined the Yankees even though the offers were inches apart. And the backlash even grew stronger when the information about how Steve Cohen, the Mets owner, had given him unthinkable perks, from a suite to extra security and more, came to light. People thought Soto didn’t have loyalty, even though he wore pinstripes only for a year. And the backlash was getting bigger each day.

But things cooled down a little when rumors about how maybe things were not being right internally with the team and Soto came to light. Rumors on how he didn’t sign because someone treated his family poorly were up in the air. But only when the narrative was changing and subsiding did Soto do an introductory press conference that built that backlash from 2x to 10x. He said that New York City has been a “Mets town for a long time, so I think we just gotta bring it to the top. Championships are going to tell you if it’s a Yankees or a Mets town at the end of the day.” And well, while many people kept silent, Dellin Betances didn’t mince his words.

Dellin Betances fires back on Soto’s claims

Now, Dellin Betances has been a player for both New York teams. He has been on the New York Yankees and the Mets. He was in pinstripes in 2011 and then in 2013-2019. Then he was in blue and orange from 2020-2021. At his appearance on Foul Territory TV, he didn’t mince words when asked about Soto’s “It’s a Mets town” comment. He simply said, “It is always a Yankees town,” but that’s not all he said.

Betances said. “I mean, it’s always going to be a Yankees town. That’s the way I feel. I don’t know what he was trying to say by that. I love Juan Soto, but… I think him going to the Mets, he gets to be the guy.” Well, looks like he is suggesting that Soto going to the Mets may be a way for him to be a standout player. Because in the New York Yankees, it’s also going to be the Judge’s team, no matter what!

Plus, Dellin Betances also pointed out that Lindor is in the Mets. But he has not been with the franchise so long. So, Soto, in a way, gets a huge contract, and he also gets to be probably the face of the franchise. But this might not be the case so soon. Not many believe Soto will get to be a leader from the get-go just because of his huge contract.

Adam Ottavino, the former Met, mentioned on Baseball Isn’t Boring that “I would say between Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo, those two, in particular, really stand out as kind of like the main leaders of the team.” Soto, despite the $765 million prize, has to make an effort to make his place in the team. But meanwhile, his team is agreeing to all his whims!

The Mets agree to one more major demand of Juan Soto

In a move that has raised quite a few eyebrows in the baseball world, Juan Soto, the Dominican phenom, placed a request to his new team. He wanted permission to play in the Dominican Winter Baseball League (LIDOM). It’s his way to stay in shape and also connect with his roots. He wants to play ten games with the Tigres del Licey. And guess what? The New York Mets, like every other demand by Soto, showed the green light on this, too. But it’s not without risk.

On one hand, when it’s commendable that Soto is committed to keeping his momentum going, it has some risks. Playing in another league means he gets less time to rest. That would lead to fatigue, and sometimes that leads to injuries, and it can hugely impact his MLB season. Moreover, people have already mentioned that Soto would end up as a DH in five years. And this doesn’t make things any better for the team. But the New York Mets know better. And they seem to be showing all the support they can for their star.

Now, all eyes will be on Soto and whether this decision to implement extra practice will pan out well in the upcoming season. Do you think it was a good decision?