Over the weekend, the Dominican Republic team claimed a commanding win against the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic, finishing with a mercy rule after Juan Soto’s walk-off home run pushed the score to 12-3. This triumph marked the Dominican Republic’s second victory in pool play. Following the game, Soto offered some candid reflections on his baseball journey, particularly spotlighting the significance of his brief time with the New York Yankees and the teams he enjoyed playing with the most.
Wearing the Dominican Republic’s signature home run jacket, Soto was asked which teams brought him the most joy to play for. He placed the current WBC squad at the pinnacle of his list, followed closely by the Washington Nationals team known for defeating the Houston Astros. The third spot went to the other team he reached the World Series with: the Yankees.
“2019 and 2024, those were really fun teams I played with, but this has to be top of the top. You have the whole family, the whole Dominican Republic cheering for you.”
Juan Soto, Outfielder
The Complex Legacy of Soto’s MLB Teams
Interestingly, Soto did not mention the New York Mets during his comments. Despite a difficult 2025 season where the Mets lost a playoff position on the final day, they remain the organization that provided Soto one of the largest contracts in American sports history. Rumors about Soto’s dissatisfaction with the Mets and staying simply for financial reasons persist, but they appear to be more speculative than grounded in his actual performance and attitude.
At present, Soto has been with the Mets longer than he was with the Yankees in New York’s borough of the Bronx. His production on the field continues to impress. After a slow start in 2025, Soto finished the season with a .263 batting average, a .396 on-base percentage, and a .525 slugging percentage, according to advanced metrics from Fangraphs. He registered a 156 weighted runs created plus (wRC+) and a 5.8 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), showcasing a powerful 30/30 season with 43 home runs and 38 stolen bases.
Some of Soto’s previous stolen base success came in 2019 and 2023, which aligns with the seasons he fondly remembers. Whether he misses playing for the Mets remains uncertain, but if insiders in the Yankees organization were honest, there might be mutual respect and perhaps even some regret. In 2024, Aaron Judge captured his second Most Valuable Player award, with Soto finishing a close second in the competition. While Cody Bellinger is considered a solid replacement, Soto’s unique talent remains unmatched.
The Peak of Soto’s Career and Its Aftermath
The 2024 season was particularly exceptional for Soto. He posted career-high numbers across the board, batting .288 with a .419 on-base percentage and .569 slugging percentage. His wRC+ peaked at 181, and he earned a remarkable 8.3 WAR, making him one of the most formidable players in the league. Teams often had to choose how to deal with the dual threat of Soto and Judge, but Soto ultimately benefited the most, which led to signing a massive contract with the Mets.
For now, if Juan Soto does harbor any nostalgia for his Yankees tenure, the Mets have provided him with over $700 million in reasons to move forward from that one-year stint. His continuing performance with the Mets suggests that contract and his production keep him anchored despite any past connections.
"2019 and 2024, those were really fun teams I played with, but this has to be top of the top. You have the whole family, the whole Dominican Republic cheering for you."@JuanSoto25_ joined @SieraSantos after a dominant 12-1 victory! #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/bAth1PM4w8
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 8, 2026
"2019 and 2024, those were really fun teams I played with, but this has to be top of the top. You have the whole family, the whole Dominican Republic cheering for you."@JuanSoto25_ joined @SieraSantos after a dominant 12-1 victory! #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/bAth1PM4w8
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 8, 2026
