MLB Insider 'Clears Up' Juan Soto Rumor Amid Subway Series Backlash
It wasn't the best Subway Series debut for Juan Soto following his decision to leave the New York Yankees for the New York Mets in MLB free agency.
Soto finished the weekend series at Yankee Stadium, going 1-for-10 with 4 walks, 2 runs scored, 2 stolen bases and 3 strikeouts.
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The Mets also dropped two out of three to the Yankees in the process, and Soto faced his fair share of backlash from fans for a perceived lack of hustle and heart.
New York Mets superstar Juan Soto facing the New York Yankees during the 2025 Subway Series at Yankee Stadium.John Jones-Imagn Images
Following the final game of the initial 2025 Subway Series on Sunday, May 18, a rumor that Soto doesn't travel with the team — taking his own private jet on road trips instead — began circulating the internet.
Although he references an on-air comment by ESPN broadcaster Karl Ravech as the potential start of this rumor, WFAN host and former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason certainly amplified it while speaking on his radio show on Monday morning.
The WFAN social media team then reposted the clips from "Boomer & Gio," leading to 400,000-plus views and counting on X.
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Before long, this Soto-Mets rumor even caught the attention of national ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan, who was quick to refute it.
"To clear up what others have asserted: Juan Soto does not fly separately from his New York Mets teammates on a private jet," Passan reported on May 19. "He flies on the team plane. There is no private-jet provision in his contract for him or his family."
SNY Mets and Yankees insider Andy Martino also chimed in afterward, confirming Passan's report.
"Was going to say this as well. Definitely no private jet from Mets to Soto," Martino noted.
At the end of the day, Soto didn't have the best series against his former team, and he's been criticized for backing out of various interviews both during and following Sunday night's game, but these private jet rumors appear unfounded.
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The Mets headed straight from the Bronx to Massachusetts for a Monday night matchup with the Boston Red Sox. And, yes, Soto is said to have taken the team jet alongside teammates.
Related: Mets Announce Mark Vientos Move After Loss to Yankees
Related: Yankees Fan Are Not Regretting Juan Soto Free Agency Decision
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