Juan Soto breaks silence on $765m switch to New York Mets and reveals five teams wanted to sign him from Yankees
Officially, the newest player to join the New York Mets is Juan Soto.
Soto made the decision to move to Queens after a bidding battle between the New York Yankees and Mets.
Soto revealed in his first press conference with the Mets that the Yankees made every effort to keep him in the Bronx.
In their quest for the great outfield player, the Mets were able to defeat their cross-town rivals.
“I don’t think it was the Mets over the Yankees,” Soto stated.
“I believe there were five teams present on the table. It had nothing to do with the Mets’ superiority against the Yankees, in my opinion.
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“I believe that all five teams worked hard right up until the very last minute, when the choice was being made.
“And we went over to the Mets.”
With 41 home runs and third place in the American League MVP vote, Soto had an incredible 2024 season with the Yankees.
His contribution to their World Series run—their first since 2009—was pivotal.
Their ultimate offer of $760 million spread over 16 years, however, was insufficient to keep Soto in the city.
Rather, he agreed to the $765 million over 15 years that the Mets offered.
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“I had other four teams doing the same thing and trying to make me comfortable,” he stated.
“And we examined everything in the end. We examined the opportunities as well as the goals of the other teams and everyone else over the ensuing fifteen years.
“And I think we have the best chance over here.”
The Mets will also provide Soto with extra tickets to home games, security, and a suite for his family.
The Yankees refused to match those advantages.
Steve Cohen, the owner of the Mets, stated, “You’re in a stratosphere when you reach those numbers.”
MLB All-Star starters 2024
The American League
C: The Baltimore Orioles’ Adley RutschmanVladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays, first base2B: Texas Rangers’ Marcus Semien3B: Cleveland Guardians’ Jos RamrezSS: Baltimore Orioles’ Gunnar HendersonOF: New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge; OF: Cleveland Guardians’ Steven Kwan; OF: New York Yankees’ Juan SotoDH: Houston Astros’ Yordan Alvarez
League of Nations
C: Milwaukee Brewers’ William Contreras1B: The Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper2B: Arizona Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte3B: The Philadelphia Phillies’ Alec BohmSS: Philadelphia Phillies’ Trea TurnerOF: San Diego Padres’ Jurickson ProfarOF: Los Angeles Dodgers’ Teoscar HernándezOF: Milwaukee Brewers’ Christian Yelich isDH: Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani
“Therefore, you must decide that this will be a significant issue for the Mets and will further our championship-winning objective.
“It is quite uncommon to acquire a player of his caliber. Therefore, you had to go a little bit farther than you anticipated.
In the end, in addition to accepting the Mets’ highest offer, Soto had faith in the team’s future plans.
He expressed his admiration for the Mets’ emphasis on players’ families and their common goal of creating a dynasty.
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“The Mets are a great organization and what they have done in the past couple of years, showing all the ability to keep winning to try to grow a dynasty is one of the most important things,” Soto stated.
“It was incredible what you were witnessing from the opposite side. the atmosphere and everything. My choice is heavily influenced by this team’s vibe and prospects.
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