The Mets made free agent Juan Soto their main offseason target, eager to convince the 26-year-old star why he should choose them over the Yankees and every other interested team.
And that’s exactly what Soto did.
Soto, one of the most sought-after free agents in MLB history, is bolting the Bronx for Queens, according to SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino.
The superstar slugger is reportedly signing a 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets. Soto has an opt-out after five seasons, according to Martino.
The deal includes a $75 million signing bonus and does not include any deferred money, per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon.
In addition to the New York teams, the Red Sox, Blue Jays, and Dodgers were among those interested in Soto, who took meetings with a host of clubs earlier this offseason in California.
The Yankees’ bid to retain the outfielder was reportedly $760 million over 16 years.
Never before in their history have the Mets signed a free agent of Soto’s pedigree and potential. They re-signed Mike Piazza after trading for him in 1998, signed Pedro Martinez and Carlos Beltran ahead of the 2005 season, and recently inked future first-ballot Hall-of-Famers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. But Soto, one of the top hitters in baseball and in his prime, stands alone when it comes to the enormity of his ability, his age, and how his presence could shape the future of the franchise.
The Mets’ union with Soto — powered by Steve Cohen‘s spending power, David Stearns‘ savvy, and the bright future that seems to be set up in Queens — makes all the sense in the world.
Soto landing with the Mets was something you could see coming as far back as last offseason when New York had a relatively tepid approach except for a failed chase of Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
With the Mets in tremendous shape salary cap-wise in 2025 and beyond and with their up-and-coming farm system starting to churn out big league regulars, they are set up well to take on Soto’s enormous salary and lengthy deal.
Soto will join Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, Mark Vientos, Francisco Alvarez, Edwin Diaz, and Kodai Senga as part of the core of a team that hopes to take the next step this coming season following a run to the NLCS in 2024.
Juan Soto / Imagn Images / SNY treated art
For the Yankees, this is a gut punch.
Retaining Soto had been the top offseason priority for owner Hal Steinbrenner and GM Brian Cashman.
Doing so would’ve locked in one of the best hitters in baseball — perhaps through the end of his career. And it was imperative for a Yankees team that fell three wins shy of a World Series title in 2024, and badly needed Soto’s blend of left-handed power and on-base ability in the middle of their lineup going forward.
Losing Soto also makes the Yankees’ decision to trade so many key pieces for him last offseason hurt more.
While acquiring Soto from the Padres ahead of the 2024 season, the Yanks sent Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Jhony Brito, Randy Vasquez, and Kyle Higashioka to San Diego, with King emerging as one of the best pitchers in baseball last season.
Soto hit a career-high 41 home runs for the Yanks during the regular season in 2024 while slashing .288/.419/.569 with 31 doubles, four triples, 109 RBI, and a career-best 128 runs scored.
During the postseason, Soto was a force, hitting .327/.469/.633 with four homers in 14 games across the ALDS, ALCS, and World Series.
Over his seven-year career with the Nationals, Padres, and Yankees, Soto has hit .285/.421/.532 with 201 home runs, 179 doubles, 592 RBI, and 655 runs scored in 936 games.
He has the best OBP in baseball since debuting, and has led the league in walks three times (2021, 2022, and 2023).