Juan Soto Rumors: Yankees Didn't Counter Mets' $765M Contract; Offered $60M Bonus
Joseph Zucker@@JosephZucker
Featured Columnist IVDecember 9, 2024
The New York Yankees declined to counter what proved to be the winning bid in the Juan Soto sweepstakes, according to the New York Post's Joel Sherman.
Soto and the Mets agreed to a 15-year, $765 million contract, per ESPN's Jeff Passan, which is a record-setting sum in major sports.
Sherman reported the Yankees raised their offer to $760 million over 16 years after having previously put a 15-year, $712 million deal on the table Saturday. Their last offer included a $60 million signing bonus.
Scott Boras, Soto's agent, reached out to the Bronx Bombers once the Mets went up to $765 million and they removed themselves from the bidding, per Sherman.
As much as it may not seem like it based on the final figures, money doesn't appear to have been the decisive factor in Soto's decision.
Passan speculated the four-time All-Star trusts the long-term direction of the Mets than he did the Yankees.
SportsCenter @SportsCenter"I think Juan Soto looked at the New York Mets' future ... and believed that the Mets have a better future than Yankees."<a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JeffPassan</a> tells <a href="https://twitter.com/notthefakeSVP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@notthefakeSVP</a> on why Soto chose the Mets over the Yankees despite only a $5M difference 👀 <a href="https://t.co/lL4bXmARGD">pic.twitter.com/lL4bXmARGD</a>
Sherman also reported the Toronto Blue Jays "were believed to be higher" than the Yankees' $712 million offer, yet they were consistently considered a "long shot." Two of Toronto's most notable players, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, are due to be free agents next winter, so the franchise's future is in flux.
For a lot of fans, it doesn't matter how close the Yankees got to the Mets' overall outlay. They only care that their favorite team lost out on Soto and now have to watch him suit up for the franchise that has played second fiddle to the Yanks for much of its history.
The Mike Francesa Podcast @FrancesaPodcast"They took a player away from the Yankees in his prime...that is something the Mets have dreamed about." <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeFrancesa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MikeFrancesa</a> on tonight's Juan Soto signing ⤵️ <a href="https://t.co/MoGemEhTPD">pic.twitter.com/MoGemEhTPD</a>
Granted, the San Diego Padres showed there can be life after Soto. After trading the star slugger last winter, they used the return to strengthen on the field and fuel blockbuster moves to come.
There's enough time for Yankees general manager Brian Cashman to salvage this free agency period.
New York Post Sports @nypostsportsCongratulations to Mets fans for getting Juan Soto.<br><br>As for Yankees fans like <a href="https://twitter.com/RyanMSampson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RyanMSampson</a> the reality is Hal & Cashman have to pivot quick and attack this offseason after losing out on Soto. <a href="https://t.co/BsEGWywHIl">pic.twitter.com/BsEGWywHIl</a>
Taking the money that was earmarked for Soto and spending it on other players would go a long way toward cooling the angst that quickly grew in the wake of Sunday's news.
Should those moves fail to materialize, however, it could be a long year in the Bronx.
