NEW YORK – More details surrounding the historical contract of New York Mets superstar Juan Soto have been reported as the MLB Winter Meetings kick off in Dallas, Texas on Monday.
Soto Signing Details
News broke on Sunday evening that 26-year-old Juan Soto had signed the largest contract in professional sports history with the New York Mets. As reported, the whopping $765 million 15-year contract comes with no deferred money, a $75 million signing-bonus, a Citi Field suite for his family, and an opt out at the five-year mark. For those first five years, Soto will receive an annual salary of $51 million. After the 2029 season, the Mets could void Soto’s opt-out by increasing his AAV to $55 million for the remaining ten years of his deal; This would then value the overall contract at $805 million. Cohen was willing to front a $100 million signing bonus, but re-structured the offer to better suit Soto’s eyeing of a $50 million (+) AAV.
Bye-bye Bronx
The New York Yankees supposedly weren’t too far behind Cohen’s Mets in the Soto Sweepstakes bidding, with a reported 16-year/$760 million offer on the table for the slugging outfielder, with a $60 million signing bonus. There are reports of Soto having asked Yankees’ owner Hal Steinbrenner about the club’s player-development in their free-agency meetings – Alluding to not being familiar with much beyond the Bronx – And interesting anecdote now that Soto has chosen the Mets.
“Welcome to Our Family”
There is a lot to be said regarding Soto’s decision to join the Kings of Queens – Money aside. Steve Cohen is known to be a lifelong Mets fan – And hasn’t wavered from the community that comes with it. I even met him myself at Game Three of the 2024 NLDS while he was standing outside Citi Field’s Jackie Robinson Rotunda, handing out rally towels and talking with fans. He and his wife (our beloved “Tía) Alex are always around the ballpark, and notably always in the clubhouse and on-field pre/postgame talking with the team. Juan Soto is also known to be a family man. It’s reported the Mets/Soto meetings were held at Cohen’s Beverly Hills home with prepared Latin food, and a Mets-made film screened in Cohen’s theater room as part of the proposal. The other teams are believed to have held their meetings at his agent, Scott Boras’ home. One thing also worth mentioning is Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza’s relationship-oriented approach with the team. In his first season as the Mets’ skipper, Mendoza was nominated and ranked third for National League Manager of the Year. He is praised for his coaching style, as it is rooted in mentorship, with an intention to preserve player-confidence – Even where there is an opportunity for correction. No blame, no booing, no knocking-down our guys. There is a palpable trust between the Mets, Mendoza, Cohen, Stearns, and the fans. Mets players have also welcomed Soto with some warmhearted social media posts. Mets outfielder Starling Marte captioned his Instagram story, a photo of Juan Soto, with “Welcome to our family.”
Starling Marte welcomes Juan Soto to the Mets 🇩🇴
(via marte06/IG) pic.twitter.com/a8awS7tq0d
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) December 9, 2024
Who’s Hal?
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner is reportedly known to not hang around the stadium, or to develop relationships with players beyond his beloved Captain Aaron Judge. Speaking of their meetings during Soto’s free agency, Steinbrenner stated, “We talked about our player development system, which I think he wasn’t that familiar with… He’s asking this of all the clubs, I’m sure. He just wants to know… about the pipeline and all that.’’ Admittedly, Steinbrenner did not try to create a personal relationship with Soto during his only season as a Yankee [on a decision-year], in part due to Soto’s “pregame preparation.” “With players like that, I just don’t like interrupting that process,’’ said Steinbrenner. There are also rumors of an “overzealous security guard” restricting one of Soto’s family members, his chef, and driver from certain areas earlier in the 2024 season.
Mets’ Future Over Yankees’ Past
Cohen spoke with the New York Post regarding a last-minute meeting with Juan Soto at his home in Boca Raton, Fl home on Friday, and was sure the superstar outfielder would choose the Bronx over Queens even after a nice second-meeting. So, this wasn’t really about money. I mean it was a little bit – But Soto chose the Mets’ future over the Yankees’ past for only $5 million more. The Mets and Mets fans have always valued warmth and character over cement mausoleums and “count our rings” nonsense. For the Yankee fans that have stayed decent-mannered after this blow to the chest, I feel for you. Truly. Having been a fan of the Mets my whole life, there is honor in devotion and staying in good spirits when ownership acts out of best interest for the fans – Looking at you, Jeff Wilpon. The Yankees and their fans are known to be keepers of “Yankee Tradition” and to a fault – Especially with reports suggesting Yankees ownership would not throw in a suite for Soto’s family – As Aaron Judge pays for his suite, and so did Derek Jeter. Steinbrenner was supposedly willing to offer a discount on the suite as a sweetener, as to not break precedence.
BREAKING: Superstar outfielder Juan Soto just wanted family to have free tickets & went for Mets’ measly $5M sweetener bc Steinbrenner refused to include suite as it’s #tradition for Yankee players to pay https://t.co/LCXIno72Ys
— Gab (@gabrauc) December 10, 2024
Mets’ Steve Cohen has reportedly included a suite at Citi Field for Soto’s family, and an assistant to help with all things related — Without question.
Mets fans deserve this – We deserve to have an owner that will do whatever it takes to not only win, but make people happy. Steve Cohen states owning the Mets is a philanthropic endeavor,
“That’s exactly why I bought the team. If I can make millions of people happy, how cool is that? I view it as a civic responsibility.”
Steve Cohen says he views owning the Mets as a philanthropic endeavor:
"That's exactly why I bought the team. If I can make millions of people happy, how cool is that? I view it as a civic responsibility."
(via @CNBC) pic.twitter.com/tOZr9sLmHk
— SNY (@SNYtv) April 3, 2024
#BelieveinSteve #LGM
