How the New York Mets Secured Juan Soto: Mets’ Multi-Year Strategy Culminates in Historic Juan Soto Signing (Juan Soto, Juan Soto team, team that signed Juan Soto, New York Mets, Steve Cohen, David Stearns, MLB free agency, $765M contract.)
Long before Juan Soto hit free agency, the New York Mets had their sights set on the superstar slugger. In a revealing behind-the-scenes documentary titled The Pursuit, released by the Mets organization, team president David Stearns and owner Steve Cohen detail their years-long plan to land Soto — a vision that finally came to fruition with a record-breaking $765 million contract in December 2024.
The Early Blueprint: Cohen and Stearns’ Master Plan
Stearns, who joined the Mets as president after the 2023 season, revealed that Soto was a priority from day one. “Juan Soto has been on our radar for years,” Stearns said in the documentary. “We knew his free agency would be a game-changer, and we prepared relentlessly.”
Cohen echoed this strategy, recalling initial discussions with Stearns: “When David and I first met, we talked about Soto as a cornerstone for this franchise. It wasn’t a matter of if — it was when.”
Beyond the $$$: Personalized Pitches & Family Culture
While the Mets’ mammoth $765M offer made headlines, their pitch went deeper than finances. The team crafted a customized video showcasing Soto’s potential legacy at Citi Field, highlighting how his skills and personality aligned with the Mets’ revitalized identity.
“We wanted Juan to visualize his future here — not just as a player, but as part of a family,” Stearns explained. This emphasis on culture resonated with Soto, who reportedly sought a supportive environment after friction during his Yankees tenure, including a denied request for a family suite.
From Struggles to Surge: How the 2024 Season Set the Stage
The documentary also delves into the Mets’ dramatic 2024 turnaround, which saw the team rally from a shaky start to an NLCS appearance. Key players like Brandon Nimmo and Pete Alonso credited a midseason shift in mindset, sparked by veteran J.D. Martinez’s “OMG” (One More Game) mantra.
“We started focusing on having fun again,” Nimmo said. Alonso pointed to a pivotal London series against the Phillies as a bonding moment: “That trip united us. We came back a different team.”
Soto’s Impact: Spring Training Glimpses
Early signs of Soto’s influence are already evident. During Spring Training, the 26-year-old smashed a two-run homer in his first game, thrilling fans and teammates alike. His seamless integration into the clubhouse — paired with Cohen’s willingness to invest in top talent — signals a new era for the Mets.
What’s Next for Soto’s New Team?
With Soto now anchoring the lineup, the Mets aim to build on their 2024 momentum. The documentary’s first installment drops Friday on the team’s YouTube channel, offering fans an unprecedented look at the deal that reshaped baseball’s offseason.
Juan Soto’s team enters 2025 as World Series contenders, proving that for Cohen and Stearns, patience and preparation pay off.