Soto has worn the No. 22 for the entirety of his MLB career, spanning stints with three different franchises. Clearly it's important to him, and the Mets themselves leaned into it at his introductory p press conference. There was just one tiny hiccup: The No. 22 was already occupied in Queens, by infielder and former top prospect Brett Baty.

Juan Soto got his desired No. 22 jersey with the New York Mets after his record $765 million contract this offseason. Brett Baty, who wore that number the past three

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Mets right fielder Juan Soto has been on a mission from the moment infielder Brett Baty agreed to give him No. 22. Though Baty didn’t ask for anything in return, New York’s $765 million man was going to pay him back.