There’s no ill will between Juan Soto and the Yankees.
The star outfielder, who left The Bronx for Queens on a historic 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets, said reports of his family being mistreated by the Yankees were false.
“My family was treated very well by the organization,” Soto said in a Spanish language interview with “Grandes en los Deportes” on Friday, adding that the Yankees’ staff is “tremendous.”
Juan Soto left the Yankees for the Mets.Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“They were always there to help me and my family at every moment.”
The Post previously reported Soto had been upset by an incident during the 2024 season in which a Yankees security guard blocked a family member of Soto’s and his chef/driver from certain areas of the ballpark.
The report also said the incident was quickly put behind the two sides, though the Mets throwing a complimentary suite into their offer to the slugger — and the Yankees not wanting to break franchise policy to match — played at least a minor role in the Amazin’s landmark free agency win.
Soto also revealed that he asked Mets owner Steve Cohen if he could play 10 games of Winter League ball at some point — as a designated hitter — and received the go-ahead.
With the Dominican Winter League already in its final week of play, Soto will have to wait until he has at least his first season with the Mets under his belt.
Juan Soto poses for a photo during a press conference where Soto was introduced as the newest New York Mets star.Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“The Mets is a great organization and what they have done in the past couple — showing the ability to grow a team, grow a dynasty — is one of the the most important things,” Soto said during his introductory press conference on Dec. 12. “What you were seeing from the other side was unbelievable. The future that this team has a lot to do with my decision.”
How Cohen, president of baseball operations David Stearns and others treated him during the recruitment process helped get him on board.
“They show me a lot of love from the standpoint of what they have for me and how they are going to try and make it comfortable to me,” Soto said. “That’s one of the things that impress me more, how they are going to treat the people around me and my family and stuff like that.