Juan Soto: 'I Don't Have to Be The Guy' After Signing Historic $765M Mets Contract

After swapping navy blue and white for his crosstown rival’s blue and orange, Juan Soto doesn’t feel the need to put extra pressure on himself, given the talent-packed roster the New York Mets have assembled.

“I don’t think I have to be The Guy,” Soto said Sunday, per MLB's Anthony DiComo. “I’m not trying to do more than I’ve done in the past. I’m just going to keep (being) the same guy, try to do the same thing I’ve been doing year after year.”

Soto left the New York Yankees in the offseason to sign a 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets in December, marking the largest contract in professional sports history, as reported by ESPN's Jeff Passan.

As Soto settles in, the Mets have undoubtedly noticed a shift in the organization.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza has recognized Soto’s presence, noting the strong aura he brings to the field—and the additional press.

“There’s a lot more cameras,” Mendoza said, per DiComo. “As soon as he stepped on the field, he was walking toward the cage, you could just feel it. And when he stepped in that batting cage with all the boys who were there … heads turned around. It was like, ‘OK. Here he is.’”

The right fielder, a five-time Silver Slugger and four-time All-Star, finished last season with the Yankees posting a career-best 128 runs and a .288/.419/.569 slash line.

After helping lead the Yankees to a World Series appearance before falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games, Soto now has his sights set on securing his second championship—this time with the Mets.

“I’m really happy to know where I’m going to be for the next 15 years, and I’m more than excited to spend it with this group of guys,” Soto said, per DiComo. “I’ve only heard great things about them. Let’s see how everything goes.”

The Mets will open their season on March 27 with a road matchup against the Houston Astros.