According to Baseball Operations and Vice President of Tigres del Licey, Audo Vicente, and reporting from David Alcántara of El Nuevo Diario in the Dominican Republic on December 9, New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto has been denied permission four times by the club’s front office to play for Licey in the 2025-26 LIDOM season.
Soto was practicing Tuesday afternoon at Estadio Quisqueya Juan Marichal in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, prior to Tigres del Licey facing their in-city rivals, the Leones del Escogido.
Audo Vicente confirma que Juan Soto ha pedido permiso cuatro veces para jugar con el Licey, pero los Mets no dan respuesta
El gerente general de los Tigres del Licey, Audo Vicente, reveló este martes en Diamante Deportivo que la superestrella dominicana de Grandes Ligas, Juan… pic.twitter.com/OfjbMvZQGe
— David Alcántara (@MrAlcantara4) December 9, 2025
Soto was Licey’s first pick in the 2017 LIDOM rookie draft and has consistently expressed a desire to play winter ball with the team throughout his Major League career.
Tigres del Licey manager Gilbert Gomez told multiple outlets in the Dominican Republic that Soto is in perfect condition to play if the Mets grant permission.
Diario Libre reported Vicente’s comments that, “Soto has requested permission four times directly in two weeks, and during that time frame we both requested permission again, and they told us they would let us know sometime between today, tomorrow, or the day after, but so far it’s no, and that he wants to fulfill a commitment to play in the Dominican Republic, which he has told his family multiple times.”
Leif Skodnick of World Baseball Network reported on December 20, 2024, that Soto had been granted permission to play for the Mets last offseason and that the approval included flexibility for future winter league years after 2024-25.
Reports: Juan Soto Gets Permission From New York Mets Owner To Play 10 Games In LIDOM
Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes also reported on December 20, 2024, that Soto could play for Tigres del Licey in the near future.
Dijo Juan Soto en @GrandesELD que nadie de Yankees maltrató a su familia. "Eso es mentira", dijo Soto.
También dijo que le pidió permiso a Mets para jugar 10 juegos con Tigres del Licey en pelota invernal, pero no para esta temporada.
— Enrique Rojas/ESPN (@Enrique_Rojas1) December 20, 2024
The four-time All-Star and 2019 World Series champion signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets on December 11, 2024. The deal includes no deferred money and features a $75 million signing bonus. Soto will earn $46,875,000 in 2025 and 2026, $42.5 million in 2027, $46,875,000 in both 2028 and 2029, and $46 million annually over the final ten seasons.
In his first year with the Mets in 2025, Soto played 160 games, producing a 6.2 WAR over 715 plate appearances. He batted .263 with 152 hits, 20 doubles, one triple, 43 home runs, 105 RBIs, 137 strikeouts, and a .921 OPS. The Mets were eliminated from postseason contention on the final day of the season, finishing 83-79.
Soto also led the National League with 38 stolen bases and led the majors with a .396 on-base percentage, while drawing 127 walks.
Vicente concluded to Dominican media that, “Soto wants to play for a reason, not just for the fans, and it’s good that people know this. He wants to play because he has a commitment or a promise, above all, to his family and to his grandparents, who he wants to see him play here.”
