Part 2/7:
The Yankees appeared to have a reasonable shot at securing Soto’s services, as both the Mets and Yankees were in a similar price range. However, Soto ultimately chose the Mets, a decision largely attributed to the aggressive approach of Mets owner Steve Cohen. With estimates suggesting a staggering signing bonus of $75 million, it is clear that the financial benefit played a significant role in Soto’s choice.
Heyman highlights Cohen’s motivation as the key factor that swayed Soto, indicating that the Mets were able to offer more attractive perks beyond the contract's surface value. The decision, while surprising to some, was fueled by the substantial financial incentives that the Mets presented.