Agent Calls Yankees Series a ‘Hurdle’ for Juan Soto’s Mets Start

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kristie Ackert | Last updated Jun 6, 2025 1:20 PM ET

Apparently, Juan Soto is still dealing with his exit from the New York Yankees. In an ESPN article earlier this week, Scott Boras, the uber agent who represents Soto, said that last month’s torturous three-game series back at Yankee Stadium was a “hurdle” for the Mets’’ superstar in his acclimation process.

Boras explained that it was the first time Soto faced many of his former teammates since leaving the Yankees after their shared successes.

“It’s psychological,” Boras said. “It’s different. You’re treated differently because of your contract status. Everybody’s aware, and you kind of want it to be how it was, not how it is. And you have to learn the ‘is’ part, and it’s a new part of the process.”

It was certainly a different experience for Soto that weekend.

He was booed relentlessly, viciously for three straight games.

The 26-year-old looked shellshocked by Sunday night, when he backed out of a commitment to be mic’d up for the ESPN broadcast, reportedly because he was tired of being asked about Aaron Judge.

For Yankees fans, that was the first chance they had to voice their frustration and anger that Stoto bolted the Bronx after just one season, and not just for a $765 million payday with the Mets, but that he talked some trash on the way out. He commented on the Mets having a brighter future than the Yankees, a comment that got under the skin of Judge and others as well.

Soto’s departure left a giant void in the Yankees' lineup. He hit 41 home runs last season and helped the Yankees get back to the World Series for the first time since 2009. But the Yankees pivoted after he signed with the Mets. They signed Max Fried and traded for Cody Bellinger. They signed Paul Goldschmidt and traded for Devin Williams.

Many have said the Yankees are a better, more balanced team now compared to last season with Soto.

He is an incredible talent, and he told ESPN he is beginning to feel more settled in the Mets' lineup. Now that he is over the “hurdle” of facing the Yankees in the Bronx, maybe Soto can put that chapter in the past.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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