Juan Soto causes disagreement as fitness brought into question by New York Mets fans

Juan Soto’s spring training appearance has sparked debate, with some New York Mets fans mocking his fitness and others rushing to his defence

Juan Soto hasn’t even played a game for the New York Mets, but his spring training appearance has already set social media ablaze.

Soto, 26, recently signed a brand new, record-breaking $765 million contract which will keep him at Citi Field until 2039. Yet, despite his elite batting stats and incredible performances, the Dominican Republic native’s physique has recently got people talking on social media.

A recent video of Soto training sparked a wave of comments, with some fans claiming he looked “out of shape.” Baseball isn’t exactly a sport for bodybuilders, but that hasn’t stopped people from dissecting Soto’s frame.

One cruel fan bluntly wrote that he was “out of shape,” while others zoomed in on the details, mocking him sprinting from base to base in sneakers instead of cleats. One fan posted sarcastically: “Take it easy, killer, just sit on the bench till Opening Day” while another quipped: “I’ve seen turtles run faster.”

But not everyone was ready to pile on. One Mets fan fired back: “This the fastest I ever seen Soto run,” as another took aim at the 26-year-old’s former team’s supporters, saying: “I was told he doesn’t know how to run the bases by Yankee fans.”

When asked to explain his decision to leave the Yankees and sign for the Mets, Soto said: “The vibes, the feel, and the future of this team had a lot to do with my decision.”

The decision left many in the Bronx heartbroken, especially after Soto’s electrifying 2024 season in pinstripes. The Yankees had reportedly tabled a competitive offer—believed to be around $760 million—but ultimately fell short.

Some reports suggested a sticking point in negotiations was the Yankees’ refusal to provide Soto with a personal suite, a perk the Mets were more than happy to offer. For Yankees fans, losing an instrumental player to their city rivals stings even more.

The Yankees and Mets, though in different leagues, have a long-standing rivalry dating back to the early days of interleague play. Soto switching sides has added fresh fire to the feud, with reports emerging of some furious Yankees supporters even going as far as burning his jerseys.