Yankees $162 million starter gives take on Juan Soto's polarizing Mets decision

Juan Soto's return to the Bronx isn't just the number-one storyline in Major League Baseball this weekend--it's practically the only storyline.

MLB has billed this as "Rivalry Weekend," but no one outside of the specific fan bases cares about Boston Red Sox-Atlanta Braves or Seattle Mariners-San Diego Padres. But Soto returning to a crowd of rabid Yankees fans after signing a record-breaking $765 million deal with their crosstown rivals? Yes please.

The New York Mets bring a high-flying offense and a stellar pitching staff into Yankee Stadium this weekend. New York's Friday starter, Carlos Rodon, will have his hands full trying to keep Soto and his star-studded cast of teammates off the basepaths.

Rodon and the Yankees might have loved to see Soto stay, though it wasn't as though he was under any sort of obligation to do so. He was only there one year, though that year was a memorable one that was highlighted by a World Series appearance.

Speaking before the showdown, Rodon said he understood why Soto left, as much as he would have loved to keep the 26-year-old four-time All-Star on his side of town.

“I get both perspectives,” Rodon said, per Randy Miller of NJ.com. “As baseball players we have a duty to support our family, and obviously upwards of $700 million is enough to support more than one family.

Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp

“But it’s the competitive beast. Get the most you can when it’s your time in free agency, and he did that. He performed, so it’s well deserved. Obviously, we’d love to have had Soto in a Yankees uniform for the rest of his career because he’s such a great player, but he did what was right for him.”

Soto has only faced Rodon three times in his career, going 0-for-2 with a walk. He's not off to a scorching-hot start in Queens by his own standards, but an OPS of .845 and 1.7 bWAR through 43 games isn't anything to scoff at, either.

All eyes will be on the matchup between Rodon and Soto in the top of the first inning on Friday night. It could set the tone for the entire weekend.

More MLB: Dodgers cut ties with 2-time World Series champion, longest-tenured position player