Why did Juan Soto sign with the Mets over Yankees? Future outlook helps Steve Cohen poach star from Bronx

Juan Soto is making a move across New York. 

After an excellent 2024 season with the Yankees in which he helped lead the team to the AL pennant, Soto is signing a 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets, per ESPN's Jeff Passan. It's the largest deal in the history of professional sports. 

Just one year after Shohei Ohtani made history in his massive deal with the Dodgers, Soto's free agency became a bidding war between some of baseball's top big-market teams. 

Why did Soto choose the Mets over a return to the Yankees? Here's what to know about the outfielder's huge decision to remain in New York, albeit with another franchise. 

MORE JUAN SOTO:

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Why did Juan Soto sign with the Mets over the Yankees?

With location clearly not a factor in the choice between the Mets and Yankees, Soto's decision likely came down to money. 

As one of the most talented players to ever hit the open market at just 26 years old, Soto's price was always going to be sky-high. Only a select amount of teams would be able to afford him, and by the time the bidding war started, it seemed to come down to a group of teams that included the Mets, Yankees, Red Sox, and Blue Jays. 

Per Passan, the Mets' deal with Soto can reach up to a whopping $800 million with escalators. It also includes no deferred money and an opt-out after Year 5.  

The fact that the Mets' contract can reach $800 million could have played a significant role in Soto's decision, as the New York Post's Jon Heyman reported that the Yankees' bid was for 16 years, $760 million. Based on those numbers, the Mets' final offer was worth $5 million more in one fewer year, with the capability to reach an even larger number with escalators. 

Ultimately, Soto's free agency seemed to become a record-breaking bidding war between New York's two famed clubs. The Mets' final offer reportedly topped the Yankees', and the star outfielder will soon be making his way to Queens. 

According to Joel Sherman of The New York Post, the Yankees had a 15-year, $712 million offer on the table, along with a $60 million signing bonus, but they added an extra year last minute to try and get the deal done. Scott Boras then asked the team to increase their offer beyond 16 years for $760 million, which the Yankees declined.

Although money was likely the main factor in the superstar's decision, Heyman also reported that Soto had a "little issue" with the Yankees in 2024 where a security guard had his family member removed from an area, which caused some "negative feelings" for Soto. 

Heyman says apparently a Yankees security guard booted Soto’s mom or dad from an area in the stadium in April or May, and there were some negative feelings about it; then the same guy threw out Soto’s driver & chef later in the year and they had to wait out in the rain 😬 pic.twitter.com/kez3Yp7PXE

— Jonny's Lasagna ⚾️ (@JLasagna43) December 9, 2024

ESPN analyst Jeff Passan was interviewed by Scott Van Pelt after the Soto signing. He was asked why he thought that Soto picked the Mets, and he said, "I think Juan Soto looked at the New York Mets' future ... and believed that the Mets have a better future than Yankees." Passan also said that he doesn't believe that Steven Cohen is done spending for the Mets. 

"I think Juan Soto looked at the New York Mets' future ... and believed that the Mets have a better future than Yankees."@JeffPassan tells @notthefakeSVP on why Soto chose the Mets over the Yankees despite only a $5M difference 👀 pic.twitter.com/lL4bXmARGD

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 9, 2024

Soto was asked first in his press conference why he chose the Mets. He responded that New York's striving to build a dynasty year after year is what meant a lot to him. Soto also said that he believes in the future of the team. 

Juan Soto is asked why he chose to join the Mets:

"The Mets is a great organization. They have all of the ability to keep winning, to try to grow a dynasty. What you were seeing from the other side was unbelievable." pic.twitter.com/RwZiqFQkKc

— SNY (@SNYtv) December 12, 2024

Juan Soto stats

Soto will provide a superstar bat to the Mets' lineup for years to come, and they'll pair him with 2024 NL MVP runner-up Fransisco Lindor. 

Here's a look at how Soto's performed at the plate throughout his career.