Part 5/8:
Another significant consideration in the negotiation was the structure of the contract itself. The sentiment conveyed was that while deferred money might have been beneficial for Soto's future or for the payroll strategy of the Mets, the essential focus remained on the value of the overall contract. “The idea that when you do a contract with this length...there’s always deferral at it,” highlights the long-term implications of Soto's decision, with structured payments potentially accommodating both the player’s needs and the team's financial landscape.