“It’s been in a Mets town for a long time, so I think we just gotta bring it to the top.” And with those words, Juan Soto fervently endeared himself to Mets fans after signing a record $765 million contract for 15 years, all while sprinkling salt on the wounds of Yankees fans. As this blockbuster move in the baseball world continues to be a controversial topic of discussion, it has somehow made its way into the soccer world. Former US Men’s National Team icon Landon Donovan has questioned Soto’s decision to leave the Yankees, suggesting it could have been his ‘good forever.’

Throughout the offseason, fans were keen to know the Dominican’s next move. Every major team, including the likes of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Boston Red Sox, had their eyes on Soto, presenting him with lucrative offers. Heck, even the Yankees had reportedly made a 16-year, $760 million offer to keep Soto. But the 26-year-old did something that hasn’t left many impressed, including Donovan, who had some words to say.

“Look, I don’t begrudge anyone getting their money,” began the former MLS star in the latest podcast episode of Unfiltered Soccer, which he co-hosts alongside another American soccer legend, Tim Howard. “Great, get your money. But dude, you had a good thing going at the Yankees. You guys could be good forever and I don’t know if the Mets are going to be good but I don’t know if he cares.”

Agreeing with Donovan, his fellow co-host Howard had also added his opinion, stating, “I would have liked to see him stay at the Yankees.” In fact, hearing out Soto’s $75 million signing bonus left the former goalkeeper dizzy as he questioned how players and teams end up with such long-term collaborations. He further questioned whether Soto would be able to give 15 years of good service to the Mets.

Referencing Alex Rodriguez’s 13-year deal, the former USMNT goalkeeper also brought up Bobby Bonilla, who continues to receive $1 million annually until at least 2035. “I hope that’s not blasphemous. Who can you commit to giving you 15 years of production? I know there’s an opt-out after 5 years [but] the numbers make you dizzy,” added Howard.

Even though many would still consider the deal a groundbreaking move, Donovan holds a different view. In fact, he believes the Mets might have made a significant mistake.

Juan Soto had all the ‘power’ to leverage his Mets deal

The former LA Galaxy forward has openly criticized the Mets for offering Soto one of the largest contracts in baseball history, particularly for such an extended duration. Donovan suggested that Soto held the majority of the leverage in this deal, which influenced the move, even at the cost of leaving the Yankees—a team where he had enjoyed a solid run.

“If I’m a club, why are you committing 15 years? But then the reality is Soto had all the power, all the leverage, and all these things are always about leverage,” added the former striker.

Drawing from his own experience with his LA Galaxy contract, Donovan explained that during his final playing years, both he and the MLS club maintained a balanced dynamic, ensuring mutual respect and smooth negotiations. Neither party exploited the situation, fostering a sense of fairness.

In contrast, Donovan argued that Soto, with all the leverage in hand, made a questionable decision to part ways with the Yankees, where he could have achieved something truly remarkable. Either way, we would like to know your thoughts on Juan Soto’s Mets deal in the comments.