New York Mets team owner Steve Cohen (left) shakes hands with outfielder Juan Soto during a news conference to introduce the Mets free agent superstar, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at Citi Field in Queens, N.Y. Soto, who played for the Yankees last season, signed a contract with the Mets worth $765 million over 15 years earlier this week. At center is David Stearns, Mets president of baseball operations.Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
The Mets won the Juan Soto sweepstakes last week, signing the superstar slugger to a record-breaking contract.
The Yankees were unable to retain the outfielder in the Bronx, and he’ll shed his pinstripes and move over to Queens. On Monday, Soto posted a photo on Instagram celebrating the new signing.
In the comments was Red Sox legend David Ortiz: “The……. Yankees lose,” he wrote, wit laughing emojis.
The Red Sox were among teams pursuing Soto.
“We wanted him in Boston,” Ortiz said on the “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast last week. “Unfortunately, it didn’t work out”
Soto’s deal for 15 years includes a $75 million bonus, an opt-out after the fifth year and it does not have any deferrals, according to multiple reports. The Mets could lock Soto into the rest of the deal after Year 5 by tacking on another $4 million a year for the remaining 10.
The 26-year-old had the best 162-game season of his career in 2024 with the Yankees, hitting 288 with a .989 OPS and posting career highs in hits (156), run scored (128) and home runs (41).
“It’s great,” Ortiz said of the deal. “It’s well deserved, what he got, and we’re gonna continue cheering for him. He’s a great kid. You guys are gonna enjoy Soto for a while here.”