3 Key Takeaways from the Mets’ Historic $765 Million Deal for Juan Soto

 

Photo From ESPN.com

The Juan Soto Sweepstakes is officially over after the New York Mets made history by signing the 26-year-old to a 15-year, $765 million contract. This is the largest contract in professional sports history, surpassing the 10-year, $700 million contract Shohei Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers last offseason.

According to multiple reports, the decision for Soto came down to the Mets or New York Yankees, who also offered him $765 million, but on a 16-year contract. Soto choosing the Mets came as a shock to many, considering he finished third in the AL MVP voting last year and made a World Series appearance in his single season as a member of the Yankees. Ultimately, the money talks and Soto is saying farewell to the Bronx and hello to Queens.

Here are my three biggest takeaways from this signing.

1. Steve Cohen Will Not Let Money Be An Obstacle

When Steve Cohen bought the Mets in November 2020, fans couldn’t have been more excited. With a net worth of $21.3 billion, making him the richest owner in professional sports, Cohen promised to spend accordingly. And what better way to back up that promise than by securing the largest contract in professional sports history?

Cohen has been spending plenty since becoming the owner, as the Mets have had the highest payroll in baseball the last two seasons and will most likely have the highest payroll again in 2025. If you think that the Soto signing is the last big-name grab for the Mets this offseason then you are sorely mistaken, the Mets are still in need of an ace pitcher and Cohen has no problem spending on a top-of-the-market player like Corbin Burnes. Cohen has officially put all other MLB teams on alert, if it is just a matter of money, you are NOT going to be able to outbid the Mets.

2. The Mets Will Not Be The Yankees “Little” Brother For Much Longer

What’s just as big as the Mets signing Juan Soto is that they stole him from their crosstown rivals, the New York Yankees.

The Yankees are baseball royalty, they are by far and away the most recognizable franchise in the sport given their storied history and success. The Yankees have been relevant in baseball for over a century and due to their location in a large market and their 27 World Series rings, they have been the richest franchise in the sport. For decades if the Yankees wanted a player in free agency, they would simply outbid for them, even if they were paying way over market. The Yankees have been the bullies of baseball in free agency.

Then there are the Mets. Founded in 1962, they were already way behind, with the Yankees having a 59-year head start and 19 championships under their belt. It didn’t help that until Steve Cohen bought the team, they were spending like a mid-market team while being based in New York City.

Since joining the MLB, the Mets have won two World Series compared to the Yankees eight. One of those eight Yankees victories was against the Mets in the 2000 World Series.

I stated the above to emphasize that the Yankees have always reigned supreme over the Mets in New York. This is why Soto signing with the Mets is such a huge deal for Mets fans. Soto had a career year in 2024 playing for the Yankees, batting .288 with 41 homers 109 RBI’s and a .989 OPS. Soto was a key piece to the Yankees World Series run in 2024. In the past, it would be a no-brainer that he re-signs a long-term contract with the Yankees, but the Mets refused to potentially lose out on a player of Soto’s caliber because of money. This isn’t just the first time the Mets have outbid the Yankees for a player—it’s the first time they’ve taken a franchise player away from the Yankees, one they were desperate to keep. In this situation, the Mets are far from being the little brother.

3. The Mets Are Now A More Attractive Landing Spot For Free Agents

Like I briefly mentioned earlier in this blog, players' mindsets have changed over time when it comes to free agency. Players are now more business-minded than ever, caring less about loyalty and legacy and only focusing on the dollar sign.

This new-age mindset bodes excellent for the Mets, whose owner essentially has bottomless pockets when it comes to spending on free agency.

We have seen the Los Angeles Dodgers use their large piggy bank to sign key free agents for the better part of a decade. Their star-studded power was on full display this postseason when they basically steamrolled the competition on their way to a World Series victory.

If you build it, they will come" is a well-known line from the movie Field of Dreams, suggesting that creating something meaningful will naturally attract people. In MLB free agency, it’s more like, "If you pay them, they will come"—and the Mets are showing they’re ready to spend whatever it takes.

What's your biggest takeaway from the trade? Comment below.