Juan Soto Betrays Yankees By Signing $765 Million Deal With Bitter Rival
The New York Yankees did everything they could to retain superstar outfielder Juan Soto but were defeated in a historic bidding war.
What was expected to be an epic battle for the ages between big-market clubs such as the Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and New York Mets is finally over.
The five-time Silver Slugger was given an offer he couldn’t refuse — one that will be remembered for a long time in sports history.
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“Breaking: Juan Soto to the Mets. $765 million. 15 years,” first reported by New York Post’s Jon Heyman on Sunday night an confirmed by multiple sources afterward.
Soto’s deal with the Mets is the largest in sports history, surpassing Shohei Ohtani’s record-breaking $700 million signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers last offseason.
Sadly for the Yankees, they reportedly offered Soto $760 million, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand but Mets owner Steve Cohen’s final offer was enough to to end the battle for who could land the most-prized free agent in sports history.
Now that Soto has decided, seeing how quickly the free-agent market unfolds will be interesting. Many franchise-altering decisions must be made, such as Mets fan favorite Pete Alonso — another free agent with a high price tag.
It was thought that the Yankees would pursue former Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Willy Adames if Soto signed elsewhere, but the San Francisco Giants snatched him Saturday night on a colossal seven-year, $182 million deal.
It wouldn’t be shocking to see Alonso sign with the Yankees now that the Mets could be inclined to move on from their beloved first baseman due to payroll limitations. Plus, the Bronx Bombers have a massive hole to fill in their lineup and at first base.
More MLB: Ex-Yankees’ Luis Severino Signs $67 Million Deal With Surprise AL West Contender – Newsweek
