Juan Soto was difficult to land following his career-high 2024 performance but for the Mets, the largest contract in professional sports history was the answer. A record $765 million deal for 15 years is what it took for the Mets to land Juan Soto from the Yankees. However, the recent conversation with the Mets owner Steve Cohen confirms the uncertainty about getting Soto even with such offers. It was a last-minute surprise for Cohen when confirmed the news. 

Reportedly, the Yankees did everything to stop Soto from getting poached, but ultimately the Mets had the last laugh. However, what went on behind the scenes to land Soto, and how did Soto react to having to choose between the Yankees and the Mets? There were wider behind-the-scene activities that happened during Soto’s free agency that Cohen got candid with. Now Soto with this contract amount is riding high on expectations and getting ready to make a splash this 2025. So will the Mets be able to make their postseason scenes bigger this time?

The story behind Juan Soto becoming a Met

It all started when Soto became a free agent in 2024 after playing with the Yankees for one year. His free agency made a minimum of eight clubs interested in him including the Red Sox, Mets, Blue Jays, and Dodgers. Apart from these teams, the Yankees also went all-out to retain Soto. Reportedly, they offered a 16-year deal worth $760 million, which was quite lucrative compared to the 15-year deal of $765 million offered by the Mets. So what made Soto opt for the Mets rather than staying with this team?

“We looked at the chances, and we looked at what the other teams wanted to do… And I think we have the best chance over here,” said Soto on joining the Mets. So yes apart from the monetary factor, there are a few other aspects like competition and increased chances to lead the team made Juan Soto choose Flushing Meadows over Bronx. Cohen in his conversation referred to this moment when he was not sure if Soto could be landed or not.

Reacting to how desperate the Yankees were to get Soto and how deeply they were in conversation with Soto’s agent Scott Boras, Steve Cohen said in a recent FanFest, “30 minutes before I found out that we legitimately were gonna get him, I thought we weren’t getting him“. That moment of confirming Soto was a dream come true for the Mets fans, while the Yankees fans went on to burn his jersey in protest.

So yes, an unexpected win for a team, that was majorly known for dysfunction and last won the World Series in 1986. The desperation is thus justified for the Mets and fans are expecting high for Soto eyeing into the 2025 World Series.

Expectations are high now 

Remember Juan Soto’s three-run go-ahead home run in the 2024 ALCS game 5? It helped the Yankees lift the pennant for the first time since 2009. Something similar is expected from Soto by the Mets fans now. Soto has now become the ray of hope for the fans whose team last won the World Series in 1986. Well, Soto is coming up with 43 HRs and 109 RBIs from 2024, which can surely make the fans excited to witness the same again.

He is also the most eligible to get into the top third behind Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Lindor. So yes, quite a versatile lineup of options that can be made up with Soto in place. Moreover, the Mets were ranked seventh last year in terms of runs per game, and here the inclusion of Juan Soto will strengthen their offense. Nevertheless, the objective of Steve Cohen to make the Mets, the envy of rival teams is on the right track starting with Soto’s signing. 

With Juan Soto already gotten in, the fans would expect the same desperation in getting some more big names this year. With many free agents still available, the Mets have the chance to field a contending team for the 2025 postseason.