Juan Soto’s Journey to Becoming the Mets’ $765 Million Man
In the backyard of his massive 11,540-square-foot Beverly Hills mansion, Steve Cohen sat beside a glistening saltwater pool equipped with an underwater sound system. The billionaire Mets owner wasn’t just making small talk—he was building something. Cohen understood the cost of ambition. His hedge fund had made him one of the wealthiest men in the world, but two employees’ involvement in insider trading resulted in a $1.8 billion fine and the firm’s dissolution. Now, Cohen was opening up about his past, hoping to convey a deeper message to the man sitting beside him.
As Cohen locked eyes with Juan Soto, he asked a simple but profound question:
“What are your aspirations?”
Soto paused, carefully considering his answer. Few baseball players in history had demonstrated his level of discipline and decision-making. Since debuting in the majors at just 19 years old, Soto had built a Hall of Fame-worthy career, largely due to his unparalleled mastery of the strike zone. His ability to process a pitcher’s delivery in a fraction of a second had propelled him from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic to this opulent setting, where Cohen, baseball’s wealthiest owner, was trying to persuade him to join the New York Mets.
Soto’s response was layered. He wanted to win multiple championships, earn a Gold Glove, and accomplish a long list of other feats. But then he said something that caught Cohen’s attention.
“I want to be the best hitter of all time.”
More than 17,500 players had stepped into an MLB batter’s box. Soto’s ambition to top that list required a level of confidence bordering on audacity. But Cohen saw something different—he saw a kindred spirit. Soto’s aspirations mirrored what Cohen envisioned for the Mets: excellence, dominance, and a complete transformation of the franchise.
For most of their 64-year existence, the Mets had stumbled along while their crosstown rivals, the Yankees, accumulated championships. Cohen believed he had finally changed that narrative, assembling a leadership team that would attract the game’s best talent. Now, he hoped Soto, a 26-year-old on the brink of securing his long-term home, would see the Mets as his future.
A Meeting with the Mets’ Inner Circle
Cohen wasn’t alone in making his pitch. At the head of an outdoor dining table, he was flanked by Soto on one side and Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns on the other. Soto’s high-profile agent, Scott Boras, was there, along with Cohen’s wife, Alex, and her father, 93-year-old lifelong Mets fan Ralph Garcia. Even Cohen’s son, Josh, attended.
The setup wasn’t coincidental. Cohen wanted to reinforce the idea that while the Mets operated with the strategic precision of his hedge fund, at their core, they were a family. The meeting lasted hours, filled with Dominican cuisine and discussions about whether this seemingly perfect match between team and player was as strong in reality as it was in theory.
For Cohen, this was more than just a negotiation—it was an opportunity to change the course of baseball history. As the meeting wrapped up, he led the group to his mansion’s theater room.
On the way, he told a story about his love for art. Years earlier, Cohen had been set to purchase Picasso’s Le Rêve for $139 million from casino mogul Steve Wynn. However, the deal fell through when Wynn accidentally put his elbow through the painting. After a painstaking restoration, Cohen eventually acquired it for $155 million. The message was clear: when Cohen wanted something, he got it—no matter the obstacles.
As the lights dimmed, a video played, designed by Cohen’s son, Josh. It showed Soto in a Mets uniform, dominating at Citi Field. The final image lingered: a towering bronze statue of Soto next to the one of Tom Seaver outside Citi Field.
Cohen delivered his closing argument. Soto could sign with the Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, or Blue Jays, but nowhere else would he have the opportunity to rewrite baseball history the way he could with the Mets.
The Biggest Contract in Sports History
Two months later, Soto had agreed to a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets. There were no deferred payments—every dollar was guaranteed. When he arrived at Mets spring training in Port St. Lucie, Florida, he was nervous. Not because he doubted his decision, but because the weight of his choice was finally settling in.
“I feel like I have everything in front of me,” Soto admitted. “I just have to put in the work.”
For over a century, Yankee Stadium had been baseball’s mecca—a place where legends cemented their greatness. The Yankees had won 27 championships, while the Mets had always been in their shadow. Now, for the first time in history, a superstar in his prime had left the Bronx for Queens.
Soto didn’t want to change his personality or approach just because he was now the highest-paid player in MLB history.
“I don’t want to try to be a superhero,” he said. “This is who I am, and this is the guy you’re going to see for the next 15 years.”
Still, to Mets fans, he was a superhero—Superman, Batman, and Captain America rolled into one. The moment he stepped onto the backfields of spring training, thousands of fans showed up, many wearing his No. 22 jersey.
The Mets’ front office took note of Soto’s work ethic. Despite his massive contract, he still participated in bunting drills, a minor skill many players ignore. If the highest-paid player in history could focus on fundamentals, what excuse did anyone else have?
Why Soto Chose the Mets
As Soto weighed his options before signing, he struggled to pick his future team. The Blue Jays had impressed him with their recruiting pitch. The Red Sox had a strong young core. The Dodgers had become the gold standard for success. And the Yankees had fan support urging ownership to bring him back.
But Cohen’s family-first approach struck a chord. Soto saw Cohen not just as a billionaire willing to spend, but as a man invested in the emotional weight of the Mets’ success. The Dodgers, despite their strong pitch, were unwilling to match other teams financially due to Shohei Ohtani’s contract. The Blue Jays had a compelling vision, but their farm system lagged behind. The Red Sox never formalized their massive offer.
In the end, it came down to the Mets vs. the Yankees—a battle for the future of baseball in New York.
A New Era in Queens
Cohen envisions the Mets as a championship dynasty, and Soto is the centerpiece. At just 26, his best years are still ahead. Last season, he hit .288/.419/.569 with 41 home runs, ranking among the greatest hitters in history.
Now, as he stands at the center of a franchise redefining itself, Soto’s confidence remains unwavering.
“I just bring myself. This is who I am.”
For the Mets and their fans, who he is might just be the missing piece to finally overthrowing their rivals and bringing long-awaited glory to Queens.
