Steve Cohen has been the Mets’ fans’ Santa Claus this Christmas, and his gift? Juan Soto. Cohen grabbed the 26-year-old by offering him the largest contract ever in sports history. Now, everyone thinks it was about the money, right? Event Giants GM George Young once said that it was all going to be about finances and the add-on benefits. Soto, however, had a very different reason.

During the introductory press conference held for the left fielder, Juan Soto was asked what made him choose the Mets. Soto answered that it was their hunger to win that appealed to him. After reaching the finals and not winning the World Series, it must have had an impact on Soto. Understandably, now he just wants to win and add a ring to his name. The Yankees, the Blue Jays, the Red Sox, and the Mets were all serious contenders in the Juan Soto sweepstakes, with negotiations starting around $600 million and then reaching $700 million.

When the teams did reach that number, they were asked to get ready for a heavy signing bonus of up to $60 million. All the teams agreed. So, where did the Mets win? The suit clause—according to the Daily News, Soto’s mother got involved in the process and asked for a family suite to be added. Here’s where things got complicated for the Yankees; they had almost agreed to every other provision money-wise but not the suite. For the Yankees executives, it was about not breaking their traditions and internal rules.

Enter Steve Cohen, who had no problem whatsoever in providing a suite to the family if it meant getting Juan Soto, but that’s not all! Cohen added 22 Delta Club premium seats and security personnel for him and his whole family, both at home. It is also rumored, though not verified, that the contract’s “family services” clause includes more over-the-top things like charter flights for his family to road games and a clothing allowance for his mother.

Rumors also have it that the commissioner of the MLB, Rob Manfred, is all over this obscene contract. With all these added services Soto’s contract is not just $765 million but likely around $825 million.

Juan Soto’s introductory press conference

After signing the biggest contract in professional sports history, the four-time MLB All-Star was formally introduced by the New York Mets at Citi Field recently. Soto broke the record established by Shohei Ohtani with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year when he committed to a 15-year, $765 million contract to play in Queens. At the Piazza Club at Citi Field, Soto, owner Steve Cohen, and baseball operations president David Stearns were present for the conference.

The 26-year-old said, “The Mets are a great organization, and what they have done in the past couple of years, showing the ability to keep winning, to keep growing a team, to try to grow a dynasty, is one of the most important things. The future that this team has has a lot to do with my decision.” Unless the Mets raise his average yearly compensation by $4 million at that point, the Dominican baseball player may choose to leave after the 2029 season.

Mets owner Steve Cohen also gave a statement: “It’s obviously a huge move. I think it just puts an accent on what we’re trying to do. It accelerates our goal of winning  championships.” According to reports, Soto rejected a $760 million, 16-year deal from the New York Yankees. The Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, and Boston Red Sox were all interested in signing him. In the press conference, the five-time Silver Slugger also revealed that he hasn’t communicated with any of his old colleagues from the Yankees.