Superstar outfielder Juan Soto was introduced by the New York Mets Thursday, Dec. 12, after signing a record-shattering 15-year, $765 million free-agent deal Sunday night, Dec. 8. Soto and the Mets held a roughly 30-minute press conference to discuss why he made the move across town from the New York Yankees, who were ultimately outbid.
The outfielder said it wasn’t just the money that helped him decide—he watched how the Mets played last season.
“I see all the ability to grow a team, grow a dynasty, is one of the most important things. What you were seeing from the other side was unbelievable. The future that this team has, has a lot to do with my decision.”
Soto felt the money would always be there, no matter which team he signed with. He mentioned his family several times.
“They show me a lot of love from the standpoint of what they have for me and how they are going to try and make it comfortable to me. That’s one of the things that impressed me more, how they are going to treat the people around me and my family and stuff like that.”
Since making his major league debut on May 15, 2018, Soto –– a native of the Dominican Republic –– leads the major leagues in walks (769), times on base (1,719) and on-base percentage (.421). He also ranks fourth in OPS (.953), sixth in RBI (592) and seventh in both SLG (.532) and home runs (201).
Steven Cohen, the richest owner in baseball, talked a little about the process to land the slugger. “I’m so happy we got there –– Juan and Scott –– it wasn’t an easy process. There were moments, there were so many emotions, it took about 10 days to get to where we got to, but I always say it’s not how you start but how you finish.”
The Mets are hoping the player who hit .288, with 41 homers across town last season, will get them to the World Series in 2025.
