Soto excited for Bronx return: 'I don't mind' if fans boo me

New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto is looking forward to returning to the Bronx to play the New York Yankees this weekend, even if it means he is on the receiving end of boos.

"I don't mind," Soto said of potentially being booed, according to The Athletic's Will Sammon and Brendan Kuty.

Soto will play at Yankee Stadium for the first time since spurning the Bronx Bombers to ink a record-breaking contract with the crosstown Mets during the offseason.

The 26-year-old said during spring training he was "expecting the worst" from Yankees fans when he returned to the Bronx, even though he was a huge part of them advancing to the World Series in 2024.

"You know Yankees fans: They can surprise you with anything," Soto said in March.

Soto's teammate, Clay Holmes, also suited up for the Yankees last season before joining the Mets this year, and he doesn't believe anything Soto hears this weekend will affect his performance.

"His focus is going to be to put up good at-bats," Holmes said. "He's always able to lock it in in those big moments. It'll be fun to watch him."

Soto is slashing .255/.380/.465 with eight home runs and 20 RBIs for the Mets after posting a .989 OPS (179 OPS+) with 41 homers and 109 RBIs during his lone season with the Yankees.