$760 million is a ludicrous amount. That number would deter most teams but apparently some teams are willing to pay that sum for Juan Soto. Sure, critics might say he’s overpaid, and there’s no denying this deal is both historic and remarkable. But here’s the thing! Other than the Mets, the Blue Jays were also reportedly in the ballpark with a whopping $760 million offer. Just a few days ago, the Mets were considered to be in second place, trailing the Jays with an offer of $720 million. And when the Yankees upped their bid from $702M to $712M, the gap was hardly a canyon. 

The Yankees were all-in with a $60 million signing bonus for Juan Soto, part of their 16-year, $760 million bid to land the star slugger. But in the end, it wasn’t enough. The Mets swooped in with a slightly better offer of $765 million and a $75 million signing bonus for a duration of fifteen years. By Saturday, the Yankees had pushed their bid to $712 million for a 15-year package. At that point, the Red Sox were still in the mix, but their chances looked slim. In the end, it was Cohen and the Mets who managed to edge out the competition, with many advantages, including a suite. 

The ‘suite’ clause helped propel Juan Soto to make an easy decision 

The Yankees were ready to go all in with their money but Cohen was willing to go just a little further. One sticking point that kept The Yanks from closing the deal was the inclusion of the suite. It might sound like a minor detail, but for the Yankees, it amounted to a matter of principle. Judge pays for his suite. Even Derek Jeter paid for his. The Yankees were willing to offer Soto a discount, but changing their long-standing precedent wasn’t on the table. The Mets’ owner didn’t mind at all. When Cohen locks his sights on a prize, he’s all business. 

It was the combination of little things that ultimately made the difference. First, the Mets offered Soto a $75 million signing bonus, a full $15 million more than the Yankees’ $60 million. Then there were the accelerants in the deal, which could push the total value up to $805 million. Throw in a no-trade clause (something the Yankees didn’t offer) and no deferrals (another point of parity with the Yankees), and the Mets’ package started to look even more attractive. But the final cherry on top was a suite for Soto’s family. A suite is also a sign of respect. It was the franchise’s way of showing the player and his family that they’re part of the Mets’ family now.  

The Mets win the most coveted player this offseason  

On Sunday, the Mets officially agreed to terms with Juan Soto on a 15-year, $765 million contract, the largest in Major League Baseball history. With this move, Steve Cohen and the Mets have made it clear that they’re not just building a contender, they’re building a legacy. The Mets’ deal with Juan Soto is still pending a physical, but the details are already shaking up the baseball world. While the club has yet to confirm the agreement, multiple sources have revealed that Soto’s new contract includes a full no-trade clause, a massive $75 million signing bonus, and a five-year opt-out clause. The biggest thing? no deferred payments — just straight cash.

But that’s not all. If the Mets want to keep Soto around beyond his five-year opt-out, they’ve built in a unique provision. They can void the opt-out after the 2029 season by boosting the average annual value (AAV) of the final 10 years of the deal. If they increase the AAV from $51 million to $55 million, the deal would increase to 15 years and $805 million. It’s a structure that balances flexibility for both the player and the team. It will also ensure that Soto can opt out if his value continues to grow over the next few seasons.  

But for the Mets, the option to void the opt-out means they can maintain control of the situation. If the deal ends up getting finalized as planned, the Mets will have locked up a player who could potentially remain the face of their franchise for the next 15 years. With $805 million on the table, the pressure will be on to build a championship contender around him. The commitment to Soto reflects the Mets’ long-term vision. This is a bet on the future. One that Cohen has clearly gone all-in on.