New York Yankees fans are reeling over Juan Soto’s decision to sign with the New York Mets. While money played a big role, one report claims that Mets owner Steve Cohen’s willingness to provide Soto’s family with a suite at Citi Field was a major factor. The Mets reportedly offered a 14-year, $765 million deal to Soto, which included a $75 million signing bonus, deferments, and escalators that could take the deal to $805 million. The Yankees, on the other hand, reportedly offered a 16-year, $760 million deal to Soto, but their offer did not include a suite for his family. According to a report from the New York Post, the Yankees “wouldn’t budge on the suite,” as the team felt they couldn’t give away a luxury that current players Aaron Judge and Derek Jeter pay for their own families.
Cohen was willing to do whatever it took to land Soto, and it seems to have paid off. However, the Mets owner still had to outbid the Yankees, and he claimed that he didn’t beat the Yankees’ offer despite his best efforts. Despite the loss, the Yankees are pivoting to plan B, targeting top pitching prospects like Max Fried and Corbin Burnes to fill the void left by Soto’s departure.
The fallout from Soto’s decision weighs heavy on the minds of Yankees fans, who are left wondering what could have been if the team had offered them a suite at Yankee Stadium. The contract, meanwhile, is historic and comes with a five-year opt-out clause that could bring Soto’s salary close to $80 million annually.