NEW YORK — Juan Soto approached his introductory press conference with the Mets with a mix of confidence and emotion. He exchanged his blazer for a white Mets jersey and sat down to officially start his 15-year, $765 million partnership with the team. The partnership was a topic of discussion, as it is one of the largest in professional sports history.
According to Soto, his decision to sign with the Mets was based on a few key factors. Firstly, he was impressed by the team’s hunger to win a championship and its desire to build a dynasty. He also appreciated the Mets’ willingness to engage with him and his family, as well as their openness to discussing his personal goals and values.
In his first meeting with Steve Cohen, the Mets owner, Soto asked about the team’s plans for the next 10 years, and Cohen replied that he would like to win two to four championships. This ambitious response resonated with Soto, and he ultimately decided that the Mets gave him the best chance to win a World Series.
Soto’s confidence and determination to win have not gone unnoticed. When asked about the pressure to win, he replied, “I’m not really thinking about the pressure, I’m thinking about making the team better and trying to win a championship.” He also expressed his excitement to be part of the Mets’ organization, which he believes has a rich history and a strong future.
The Yankees, one of the other teams vying for Soto’s signature, were not too far off from the Mets’ offer. However, the details of the Mets’ presentation, including their willingness to include a paid suite for Soto’s family at Citi Field, ultimately swayed his decision.
Soto’s long-term goals extend beyond baseball. He plans to give back to his community and create opportunities for others to grow and succeed. “I want to give them hope so they can keep moving forward,” he said. “You never know who’s going to be the next Juan Soto, who’s going to be the next Ohtani, the next Harper, or who’s going to be the next Steve Cohen.”
The signing has been met with excitement by Mets fans, who can now look forward to cheering on Soto for many years to come. Deesha Thosar, an MLB reporter for FOX Sports, covered Soto’s press conference and wrote about the significance of the signing for the team.
