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The baseball world suffered an earthquake on Sunday night. Juan Soto, one of the most coveted free agents in history, left the New York Yankees to sign with crosstown rival New York mets on a 15-year, $765 million mega-deal.
Many cannot believe that a big-name free agent would leave the New York Yankees, but Juan Soto did. And, a big reason for that may have been the family-friendly atmosphere that has been created the last few years in Queens under owner Steve Cohen.
Soto, just 26, is one of the best left-handed hitters in generations, possibly since Barry Bonds. He burst onto the scene as a teenager, helping the Washington Nationals win a World Series as a big bat in the middle of the lineup at just 20. For his career, he’s slashing an astounding .285/.421/.532. Juan Soto is widely regarded to have the best plate discipline in Major League Baseball, and when he gets a pitch to hit, he crushes it. Soto had 72 extra-base hits last year with the Yankees.
It’s not hard to see why the outfielder commanded the biggest contract in sports history. But, at $760 million over 16 years, the offer that the New York Yankees made is pretty good. What made him decide to join the Mets over staying in pinstripes?
According to Andy Martino, who covers the Mets and Yankees for SNY, it had to do with a family atmosphere that Mets owner Steve Cohen, as well as wife Alex, have instituted since he bought the team prior to the 2021 season.
Martino on the Kay show: Soto is more of a family guy than a hangout with teammates in the clubhouse kind of guy; he does his work then goes home to his mom and family. The Mets capitalized on making Citi Field a very family friendly place and Soto weighed that in his decision
— Jonny's Lasagna ⚾️ (@JLasagna43) December 9, 2024
Compare that quote to this one.
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
Who knows if that incident impacted his decision at all. But, it’s not a good look for the Yankees in a situation that already doesn’t flatter the franchise.
Now, the Mets have their second superstar to go alongside Francisco Lindor.