The bromance between Juan Soto and Aaron Judge is not secret. Even though Soto switched his base from the Bronx to Queens, the Mets slugger has always been an admirer of his former captain. During their Yankees days together, the duo made a deadly combo on the plate, smacking over 100 home runs in 2024 alone. Now, even though Soto plays for the Yankees’ cross-town rivals, his admiration for Judge remains the same. Now, despite wearing rival uniforms, Soto’s appreciation for Judge hasn’t wavered. But while their friendship is a shining example that respect can transcend team lines, it seems that this very bond might have just put the Mets slugger in an awkward spot with his new fan base.

Earlier this month, Soto revealed that when he signed with the Mets and moved across town, the biggest support he received actually came from none other than Judge, countering all the heckling supporters. The case in point was a simple phone conversation long before the headlines could catch up. Not with an agent, not the front office. But from a good friend. “When I signed [with the Mets], first thing, we got on the phone and talked about it,” Soto revealed in an interview. “He told me I made the right decision for my family and that he was happy for me. That’s what a real friend says.” But since now Soto embraces his loyalty to the Mets, his admiration for Judge has led to a difficult decision.

His admiration for Judge not only questioned his loyalty but also put him in a negative spot for undermining his present slugging partner, Pete Alonso, who is having a far better season than Soto. As of now, Alonso has 21 RBI and 5 homers against Soto’s 8 RBI and 3 homers. Acknowledging the same, WFAN host Sal Licata also took a direct dig at the Dominican Republic slugger.

“There’s no way Pete Alonso is the Most Valuable Player (MVP), but with Soto it’s only 20 games. Why can’t the same Mets fans who say we’re ridiculous for criticizing Soto for only 20 games? Include Pete Alonso in the MVP conversation after only 20 games?” Licata said. Now, while Soto is yet to acknowledge Alonso’s red-hot season, the 26-year-old has just done what many Mets fans believe he should have done before arriving in Queens.

Right after this widespread backlash and criticism, it came to notice that Juan Soto has reportedly unfollowed the New York Yankees on Instagram. It’s huge, especially in the world of professional sports. Just after the days of his reflective comments on Aaron Judge and his time with the Yankees, he eventually had to digitally part ways with the Yankees.

You see, Soto slammed 41 home runs in 2024 and was one of the top stars in free agency. Ultimately, he was fated to land a historic contract in baseball history. And he did.

Amidst the mounting pressure on Soto to prove his loyalty to the Mets, he had to make this decision. It was Soto’s personal choice to digitally separate himself from his former team. For now, Soto can’t escape the eyes that firmly want him to prove that he belongs in Queens.

Soto is grinding his way amidst the doubts

During the recent matchup between the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Mets, Soto made a subtle move to put an end to the sparked doubts over his loyalty to the Mets. His walk during the eighth inning masked the otherwise tough outing.

Since Soto’s debut with the Mets, he has appeared in 19 games this season. He had a batting average of .352 along with a 1.055 on-base percentage during his last season with the Yankees. This season with the Mets, he sits at .221 with three homers along with a .773 on-base percentage. This contrast can’t be ignored, right?

The 26-year-old reportedly stated, “I’ve been growing as a man through my whole career, and I just know things are going to change; I just have to keep grinding.” Undeniably, he has been showing promising signs. Against the Cardinals, his double-play ball left the bat at a legitimate 106.7 mph. Soto has noticed that without hitting ahead of Judge as he did in the 2024 season, the pitchers have approached him more cautiously. He is still adjusting to that.

Soto sure had a shaky start with the Mets, but his discipline has been elite. In the recent series against the Twins, he homered twice with the Mets. Well, it was another reminder from a player who will remain elite for the coming tenure with the Mets.

He’s not holding back. As he puts it, “There’s nothing I can do. Definitely I’m trying my best to get going and help the team.” Soto is portraying time and again that he will live up to the standard he has set for himself. Let the loyalty be tested; he will rise with his best style of play for the Mets.