Yankees ERA CRUMBLES: Juan Soto Shocks Baseball World – “I’d Rather Play There!” Signs Record-Breaking $765M Deal With Mets
In December 2024, Juan Soto made headlines by signing a monumental 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets, shattering Shohei Ohtani’s previous record of $700 million with the Dodgers. This historic deal not only redefined baseball contracts but also shifted the power dynamic in New York baseball, as Soto snubbed the Yankees in favor of their cross-town rivals.
Why Did Juan Soto Reject the Yankees?
The biggest question on every Yankees fan’s mind is: Why did Soto choose the Mets?
During an in-depth discussion on the New York Post Sports YouTube channel, MLB insider Joel Sherman shed light on Soto’s stunning decision.
“If I were a Yankee fan, what I would be thinking is, Juan Soto rejected us for the Mets. The Yankees haven’t had a bad season for over 30 years, yet he chose a team that has never made the playoffs three years in a row. That speaks volumes. Either something was lacking in the Yankees or something was incredibly enticing about the Mets beyond just the money.”
Sherman emphasized that this wasn’t just a financial move. For the first time in decades, a superstar actively preferred the Mets over the Yankees, a team that has historically dominated New York baseball with 27 World Series titles.
Soto Breaks the Yankees’ Dominance Over New York Baseball
Hall of Fame legends like CC Sabathia and Alex Rodriguez have cemented the Yankees’ place as one of the most prestigious teams in baseball history. Yet Soto’s decision signals a changing landscape in the sport.
Sherman continued:
“For the first time in the history of these two teams, or at least in the last 50 years, a player of Soto’s caliber said, ‘I’d rather play there than here.’ That is really interesting, and it questions where New York baseball is headed in 2025 and beyond.”
Juan Soto’s First Words as a New York Met
At his introductory press conference, the Dominican superstar shared his excitement about joining the Mets and the vision that drew him to the organization.
“The Mets are a great organization. What they’ve done in the past couple of years—building a winning team and striving to grow a dynasty—was a major factor in my decision. The future here is bright.”
Soto also acknowledged that he had offers from the Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox, and Blue Jays but ultimately felt the Mets had the best long-term plan.
A Record-Setting Deal With a Hidden Clause
With this unprecedented $765 million contract, Juan Soto now holds the largest deal in professional sports history. However, he can opt out after the 2029 season, unless the Mets increase his annual salary by $4 million, which would push the total contract value to a staggering $805 million.
The Yankees’ loss is the Mets’ biggest win, and as the 2025 season approaches, baseball fans across New York are bracing for a new era of rivalry and dominance.
