In Photos: First sight of Mets' $765 million man Juan Soto taking in Citi Field at Queens
The uncertainty around Juan Soto's free agency ended this week as the superstar slugger signed a mammoth $765,000,000 contract over 15 years with the New York Mets.
While the New York Yankees fans were hoping to get reunited with Soto following his career-best season with the Bronx Bombers in 2024, Steve Cohen made the largest splash in MLB history by signing Soto.
It wasn't a great day to be a Yankees fan as the Mets unveiled Juan Soto as a Met on Thursday, and the All-Star slugger donned the Mets jersey for the first time since his contract. Pictures of Soto in the Mets jersey at Citi Field went viral on social media.
While the Mets broke the MLB record for the largest contract, Shohei Ohtani's $700,000,000 deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers last offseason, Juan Soto said it was more than just money that influenced his decision.
"When you sit down and look at all the options, it gets to a point where it’s not about the money anymore," Soto said Thursday, as per USA Today. “You try to find the best spot for you and your family, and to grow a family."
Juan Soto shared World Series aspirations in Mets colors
During his introductory press conference at Citi Field on Thursday, Juan Soto revealed the motivation behind signing for the Mets.
"Trying to win a World Series here – not only one time, but a couple more times – is going to be special," Soto said. "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 keep growing a team, to try to grow a dynasty – is one of the most important things."
Soto, who has already got a World Series ring in his breakthrough year with the Washington Nationals in 2019, came close to adding a second in the 2024 season. Following an offseason trade from the San Diego Padres to the Yankees, Soto made an instant impact in the Bronx with his clutch hits.
His productive at-bats with Yankees captain Aaron Judge's 58 home run season, helped the Yankees to their first World Series since 2009. However, Soto and the Yankees were heartbroken in the Fall Classic after five games as the Dodgers won their second World Series in four years.