Everyone knows the story of what went on to acquire Juan Soto. Steve Cohen, the New York Mets owner, was prepared to up any number by any team. Then, Juan Soto said that it’s not just money but what the team’s plans are for the next 15 years that matter. It gave hope to many teams, and even the Boston Red Sox were on the run. But as New York Giants GM George Young had said, it’s always going to be about the money, and sure it did.

When the New York Mets offered a record $765 million to Juan Soto for 15 years, it was a no-brainer deal he couldn’t ignore. The Yankees, however, tried till the very end, stretching the already high number of $700 million to $760 million. They even agreed to a $60 million signing bonus, and by then Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman thought everything was settled. Not just them; even insiders thought so. Andy Martino of SNY mentioned that during a dinner discussion that evening, he knew the Yankees had Soto. By the meal’s end, the tides turned. But how? Bill Madden spilled the beans recently, on how a suite demand might have been the deal breaker/sealer!

The deal breaker for Soto and the New York Yankees revealed

Belkis Pacheco, Soto’s mother, demanded a suite at the New York Yankee Stadium for 15 years of the deal. Bill Madden from Daily News reports, “That was when Hal Steinbrenner said something to the effect- ‘We’re gonna pay you $760 million, and you can’t afford to pay for your own suite? We don’t give away suites (which range from $600,000 to $1 million) at Yankee Stadium.” Steinbrenner also mentioned that no one from Aaron Judge to Derek Jeter and even CC Sabathia was given suites as part of their contracts.  They all paid for these themselves, as well as for the premier seats behind the home plate in the Legends section.

Clearly, that might just have been the deal-breaker for Juan Soto and the New York Yankees. Cohen, meanwhile, didn’t hesitate to offer him that and more. Not only did he give a suite at Citi Field, but he also offered 22 Delta Club seats. Plus Soto would get security services for him and his family! Madden reported, “It is said, but not confirmed, the ‘family services” clause in the contract includes charter flights for his family to road games and a clothes allowance for his mother!” Combining all that, Soto’s AVV is more in the $55 million number than $51 million. Madden in his article called it, “obscene” to give a one-dimensional player the reins of the team’s future.

Did the Yankees dodge a bullet?

Madden in his article also said that a former manager had told him, “Carlos Mendoza’s job just got a whole lot harder as Aaron Boone’s got a whole lot easier.” Madden predicted that Juan Soto would soon become a full-time designated hitter, even before the halftime of that contract deal. And Madden isn’t the only one to mention the same. Chris Russo, aka Mad Dog, the famous radio personality, said so too.

Russo mentioned during his exchange on ESPN, “I mean $765 million—that’s an outrageous contract to a guy who, again, in 5 years is going to be your designated hitter.” For Russo, Soto for sure is a great hitter, but not a well-rounded player. He presented major doubts about whether it was smart for Cohen to invest such a large amount. For Russo, this isn’t the worst thing for the Yankees. Something that even Chazz Plaminteri who is famous for his work on “A Bronx Tale” agrees. Palminteri mentioned, “I want to thank Brian Cashman, and I want to thank Hal Steinbrenner.” Wondering why? Well, nearly $800 million is insanity to him, nothing else.

Well, the New York Yankees still have a gap at first and third base. They need someone to fill in if they want to be competition-worthy next season. Who do you think will come in?