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Juan Soto made the wrong decision and now he is stuck in a bad situation
TL;DR
Juan Soto opted to sign with the New York Mets instead of the Yankees, despite a $700 million offer. Eighteen months later, his decision appears to have backfired as the Mets struggle to compete.
Key points
- Juan Soto hit free agency after the 2024 season
- Soto signed with the New York Mets for a larger offer
- The Yankees offered over $700 million to retain him
- Soto claimed his decision was about long-term winning
- The Mets have struggled to compete since his signing
Juan SotoNew York YankeesNew York MetsMLB
When MLB superstar Juan Soto hit free agency after the 2024 season, he held all the leverage. He had just helped lead the New York Yankees to their first World Series appearance since 2009, reestablishing the franchise as a true contender. The Yankees made it clear they wanted him backâand backed it up with an offer north of $700 million.
But Soto chose a different path. He signed with the New York Mets, who offered even more money, and explained the decision by saying it wasnât about finances, it was about long-term winning. Eighteen months later, that explanation hasnât aged well.
New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto celebrates after making the final out to beat the Cleveland Guardians in the 2024 ALCS
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The Yankees Didnât Miss a Beat
Letâs start in the Bronx. Despite losing a generational talent, the Yankees didnât fall offâthey stayed competitive. They returned to the postseason the following year and even won a playoff series over the Boston Red Sox.
Fast forward to this season, and theyâve taken it a step further, sitting atop the American League in wins and looking like one of the best teams in baseball. In other words, they didnât need Soto to stay relevant.
Q&A
Why did Juan Soto choose the New York Mets over the Yankees?
Juan Soto chose the Mets for a larger financial offer and claimed it was about long-term winning.
What was the Yankees' offer to Juan Soto during free agency?
The Yankees offered Juan Soto over $700 million to return after the 2024 season.
How has Juan Soto's decision impacted his career with the Mets?
Eighteen months after signing with the Mets, Soto's decision is viewed negatively as the team has struggled to compete.