For the longest time, everyone—including me—assumed Juan Soto chose the New York Mets simply because they offered him the most money. It made sense. The Mets, owned by baseball’s richest owner, Steve Cohen, had the financial muscle to outbid anyone. But as it turns out, money wasn’t the only factor in Soto’s decision.<\/p>
Soto made sports history this offseason by signing a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets, a deal that could reach $805 million<\/a> with certain clauses. Meanwhile, the Yankees, Soto’s team in 2024, reportedly offered him $760 million over 16 years, a nearly identical deal in terms of total value.<\/p> Throughout free agency, the prevailing belief was that Soto’s decision would come down to an East Coast team, with the Yankees and Mets as the most likely landing spots. The difference between the two? Cohen wants to win at all costs. Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner wants to win too, but he’s shown plenty of restraint when it comes to spending. That contrast was thought to be the defining factor in Soto’s choice.<\/p> However, according to Soto himself, the Mets’ final offer wasn’t even the biggest one he received this offseason.<\/p>Why did Juan Soto pick the Mets?<\/h2>