Reporter addresses 'fake controversy' regarding what Mets' Juan Soto said about Yankees' Aaron Judge

New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto likely didn't know that his recent comments would cause a stir. 

The All-Star said that life with the New York Mets is "definitely different" because he previously "had the best hitter in baseball hitting behind me" while with the Yankees. Outlets such as WFAN spent a day discussing if he already misses sharing a lineup with Yankees captain Aaron Judge. 

On Tuesday evening, MLB insider Andy Martino of SNY ripped certain media personalities and fans for trying to create a "stupid fake controversy" regarding what Soto allegedly was and wasn't trying to say about his current situation, Judge and Mets first baseman Pete Alonso. 

"Soto’s time with the Yankees was deeply meaningful to him," Martino said about the slugger's 2024 season. "He made a difficult decision to sign elsewhere (in free agency). It takes people time to fully adjust to new circumstances. He is fitting in nicely with the Mets and is already popular with his new team. This does not have to be binary. Soto can treasure his time with Judge and the Yankees and commit with his whole heart to this new chapter in Queens. Any fan who does not accept this dehumanizes Soto by expecting him not to feel."

When Soto made his comments to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the 26-year-old was in the middle of a 13-game home run drought. He's since gone deep in back-to-back contests, including during Tuesday night's 6-3 loss at the Minnesota Twins that dropped the Mets to 11-6 on the season. 

Meanwhile, Alonso has been the club's top offensive performer of the campaign's opening month. Across the first 17 games of the season, he slashed .356/.466/.729/1.195 with five home runs and 20 RBI. 

Martino noted that the Mets ideally getting this type of production from Alonso was a reason Soto signed a 15-year, $765M contract that could exceed $800M to join the club this past offseason. 

"Soto critics also forget that he personally lobbied owner Steve Cohen to sign Alonso as lineup protection for him," Martino added. "This meant a great deal to the 'Polar Bear' and informed how he feels about his new teammate."

If nothing else, Soto may have learned a valuable lesson about how it's sometimes better to say nothing than to give an honest opinion as a big-name athlete who plays home games in the country's largest sports market.