The New York Mets just pulled off their second “Soto” acquisition this year, and well, you know how the baseball world loves a good joke. After shelling out a record-breaking $765 million for their superstar, the Mets decided they needed another Soto. Though this one comes with a significantly smaller price tag and, let’s be honest, much different expectations. Want to guess who this mysterious second Soto might be?
Meet Gregory Soto, the Baltimore reliever now in orange and blue. The 30-year-old lefty brings a workmanlike 3.96 ERA across 45 appearances this season, striking out 44 batters in 36.1 innings. Sure, he’s bounced around four teams in seven seasons, but the two-time All-Star showed he still has some magic left with a clean save on Thursday night. Tbh, it makes sense why the Mets targeted him—they need reliable bullpen depth for their playoff push.
The New York Mets have acquired left-handed reliever Gregory Soto from the Baltimore Orioles, sources confirm to ESPN. First on the deal was @martinonyc.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 25, 2025
The Mets surrendered two pitching prospects to Baltimore: Wellington Aracena, their 19th-ranked prospect, and Cameron Foster, who dominated Double-A with a 1.01 ERA despite struggling in his brief Triple-A stint. Sitting atop the NL East at 59-44, just a half-game ahead of Philadelphia, every move matters for this franchise chasing their first division title since 2015. They’ve already made baseball’s biggest splash with Juan Soto’s historic contract, and now they’re fine-tuning the margins, hoping Gregory Soto can help deliver what his namesake was brought in to accomplish.
Is Gregory Soto related to Juan Soto?
Despite sharing the same last name and both playing in the MLB, Gregory Soto and Juan Soto aren’t related at all. It’s purely coincidental that the Mets now have two Sotos on their roster—one’s a relief pitcher from Venezuela, while the other’s an outfielder from the Dominican Republic.
Image: MLB.com
The only connection between them is their shared surname and their new team affiliation. Interestingly, though, Juan Soto does have actual family in professional baseball. His younger brother Elian Soto plays baseball in the Washington Nationals’ minor league system, keeping the Soto baseball legacy alive in the organization where Juan first made his mark before his big-money move to Queens.
MLB World Reacts to Mets’ Trade
While the Mets front office viewed this as a strategic bullpen addition, the baseball world launched into overdrive with reactions about their latest Soto acquisition. Fans flooded social media with responses ranging from skeptical analysis to pure comedy gold, as they connected the obvious dots between two players sharing the same surname on one roster.
“Desperation move, won’t work,” declared one fan, who questioned the Mets’ deadline strategy, especially considering Gregory Soto’s 3.96 ERA this season.
Another supporter embraced the chaos completely: “Trade season is here and it’s beautiful.” The creativity peaked with reactions like “we’re collecting the soto infinity stones,” which perfectly captured the statistical absurdity—the Mets now roster two Sotos with a combined $765+ million investment. Fans generated memes instantly.
Image: USA TODAY Sports
“Every soto in baseball is going to be a met,” read another reaction, suggesting the organization build some sort of Soto monopoly. This playful criticism highlights how supporters view big-spending teams like the Mets—organizations that pursue additions relentlessly, considering their $765 million Juan Soto contract proves their aggressive approach to roster construction.
Others offered serious analysis, though. “Good move for both sides,” provided a measured perspective, recognizing Gregory Soto’s two All-Star appearances and legitimate bullpen value for a team sitting 59-44. This reaction split demonstrates modern baseball fandom perfectly—fans blend statistical analysis with entertainment while maintaining a passionate investment in every roster transaction.
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