Yankees legend reveals why he 'wasn't surprised' Juan Soto joined Mets

One New York Yankees icon wasn't shocked when Juan Soto chose the New York Mets in free agency, and conveyed exactly why.

May 12, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto (22) follows through on an RBI groundout during the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The New York Mets are two days away from the first leg of their Subway Series showdown against the cross-town rival Yankees. This also means that star slugger Juan Soto is two days away from facing off against his former team, which is sure to incite a lot of emotions from the Yankees' passionate fan base.

When speaking about the upcoming Subway Series, Soto was quoted as saying, “I think the Subway Series is just another series where we have to go out there and try to win,” per a May 14 article from NJ.com's Manny Gómez.

Read more: Mets' Juan Soto wants to 'forget' about facing Yankees during Subway Series

“We have to keep moving forward, forget about who we’re going to face, and just try to win the series because, in the end, that’s what we’re here for," he added.

Juan Soto announces he will play for team Dominican Republic in the 2026 WBC 🇩🇴 pic.twitter.com/yNRJcJQrtW

— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) May 14, 2025

Many were shocked when Soto ultimately decided to sign with the Mets instead of returning to the Yankees this past offseason. However, during a May 14 appearance on Amazin' Conversations with Jay Horwitz, legendary Yankees (and Mets) pitcher David Cone conveyed why this decision could have been expected.

"To tell you the truth, Jay, I wasn't surprised at all," Cone said. "Because of going back to the Old Timers Day... with the Mets, that I got a chance to meet the ownership. I got to meet Mr. and Mrs. Cohen. And I saw first-hand how dynamic they are, how warm they are. Particularly how interested they were to hang out in the clubhouse and meet guys, and how approachable they were.

"So I knew right away... I wasn't surprised. I could see them selling Juan Soto and his family on a family atmosphere with the Mets. And that's what's going on in Queens right now. That's the dynamic," he added.

"I can absolutely understand why Juan Soto and his family picked the Mets."

.@dcone36 wasn’t shocked at all when @JuanSoto25_ jumped from the Yankees to the @Mets last winter. He credits the move to the family atmosphere that Alex and Steve Cohen have created in Queens.

🎧👉 https://t.co/Qnf8rZ6gnm
🎥👉 https://t.co/3J3waFuk2p pic.twitter.com/kjuKYSepeY

— Jay Horwitz (@Jay_HorwitzPR) May 14, 2025

This is definitely interesting to hear from Cone, who knows both the Mets and Yankees' franchises intimately.