Juan Soto was all smiles as he donned his newest pinstripes in New York.

The newest New York Mets superstar was introduced to the media and spoke about his excitement for the team's future, World Series aspirations and more. 

But while Mets fans are over the moon with their $765 million man, New York Yankees fans remain bitter, and seeing Soto in his No. 22 Mets jersey likely added fuel to that fire. 

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During a media scrum, Soto was asked if he had a message for Yankees fans who hoped he would return on a similar deal the Mets gave him. 

"I want to say thank you to them," Soto said, via SNY. "They really showed me all the love and everything they had last year. They were there day in, day out. They really have a spot in my heart at the end of the day. Tough that we couldn’t get it together and try to be back and stuff like that. But definitely I’ll always appreciate what they did for me in 2024." 

It may not be an answer Yankees fans want, but Soto at least acknowledges what they did for him in 2024. 

JUAN SOTO'S RECORD-BREAKING METS CONTRACT INCLUDES SPECIFIC UNIFORM NUMBER REQUEST, AMONG OTHERS: REPORT

Fans showered the right fielder with "Re-sign Soto!" chants every game, fake blank checks were brought into the stadium and Soto had a career year statistically, helping the Yankees return to the World Series. 

The love Yankees fans had for Soto was palpable, and they wanted him to remain with a long-term deal.

But the Mets outbid the Yankees, who reportedly had a 16-year deal worth $760 million on the table. Soto chose to go across town to Queens.

Soto revealed at his news conference he hadn't spoken to a single Yankees teammate since the World Series ended in a crushing defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

"I think we have the best chance to win here," he added when asked about his choice of the Mets over the Yankees. 

The Mets, always considered a "little brother" to the Yankees, have a new identity with owner Steve Cohen. 

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The New York Mets introduced their new superstar, Juan Soto, Thursday after outbidding the New York Yankees for his services.

During his introductory press conference, a reporter asked if Soto had talked to his former Yankees teammates throughout the free agency process.

"I haven’t talked to any of those guys. We talked to them through (the) playoffs, end of the playoffs. But, after that, I made this process. I haven’t talked to any of those guys," Soto said. 

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In his press conference after winning the AL MVP, Aaron Judge said he hadn’t spoken to Juan Soto since the end of the World Series.

"The best thing is to really give those guys space," Judge said, according to Fox Sports. "I talked to him all season, and he knows how we feel about him. And I think the most important thing is now let him do his thing with his family, pray about it, talk with people and come to the right decision for him and his family."

The bidding for the 26-year-old came down to the crosstown rivals, and the Mets won the prize of free agency. 

The Mets gave Soto the most lucrative deal in professional sports history, a 15-year, $765 million contract that includes escalators that can take it over $800 million. 

YANKEES SIGN ACE PITCHER TO HISTORIC CONTRACT AFTER LOSING JUAN SOTO SWEEPSTAKES: REPORTS

There is a player opt-out after the fifth season that the Mets can void by paying Soto $55 million per season for the remainder of the contract should Soto choose to opt out. 

The jump to $55 million annually would be a $4 million raise from the $51 million Soto will receive annually for the first five years of the deal. 

In addition to becoming the highest-paid player in baseball history, Soto will also receive a ballpark luxury suite for his family, four premium seats for home games and security for him and his family, according to the New York Post.

Last season, Soto finished third place in the AL MVP voting after having a career-best year hitting in front of Judge. 

The four-time All-Star hit .288 with 41 home runs and 129 walks, second only to Judge.

During the Yankees' run to the World Series, his performances were crucial in the ALDS and ALCS, which was highlighted by his game-sealing, go-ahead extra-inning home run against the Cleveland Guardians. 

Now Soto will take his talents crosstown and anchor the top of the Mets' lineup alongside Francisco Lindor and Mark Vientos.

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Juan Soto is the richest athlete in sports history.

However, $765 million apparently wasn't enough for the newest New York Met.

Soto and the Mets made their record-breaking 15-year deal official Wednesday.

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There had been reports earlier this week that the Yankees "wouldn't budge" on giving Soto a suite at Yankee Stadium, and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman seemed to all but confirm that. But the Mets gave a suite to Soto.

The New York Post says that, along with the suite, Soto will also have four premium seats for home games and security for him and his family both at home and on the road.

His uniform number was another issue.

Since his MLB debut in 2018, Soto has worn No. 22 with the Nationals, Padres and Yankees. He will do the same with the Mets, and it is a part of his contract, the Post notes.

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Brett Baty had worn the number with the Mets since 2022. It is common for stars who join new teams to give a hefty gift to whomever was wearing a preferred number. It's unknown if Soto is giving Baty anything.

Either way, Baty doesn't have a choice in the matter.

The Yankees said their reported 16-year, $760 million offer was "above and beyond our comfort level." Cashman also noted that "some high-end players that make a lot of money for us, if they want suites, they buy them."

But Cashman said the Yankees' reluctance to give Soto a complementary suite did not factor into the team losing Soto to the Mets. 

Soto finished in third place in the 2024 AL MVP vote. Aaron Judge, Soto's teammate last season with the Yankees, won the 2024 AL MVP.

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The New York Yankees' pivot is on.

The Bronx Bombers lost Juan Soto to their crosstown rivals earlier this week, but the show must go on, and the Yankees made a big splash.

The Yanks and Max Fried are reportedly in agreement on an eight-year deal worth $218 million, the most lucrative deal ever given to a left-handed pitcher.

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Fried has been an ace for the Atlanta Braves in recent years alongside Spencer Strider. Fried pitched to a 3.23 ERA in 29 starts in 2024, and his career ERA is 3.07. His 2.81 ERA since 2020 is the lowest in the sport among pitchers with at least 90 starts in that span.

The deal is a risk for the Yanks. Fried turns 31 next month. However, their rotation is without a doubt one of the best in baseball, and it also keeps Fried away from the Boston Red Sox, who were also interested in Fried.

Fried will now be the co-ace alongside Gerrit Cole. The Yankees also boast Rookie of the Year Luis Gil. Carlos Rodon also had a bounce-back year, while Clarke Schmidt's 2.85 ERA, albeit in only 15 starts, was the best of his career.

The Yankees figure to move on from either Marcus Stroman or Nestor Cortes. Fried will make a tick over $27 million a year.

Fried ranks near the top of the league in average exit velocity allowed as well as ground ball rate. While he's not much of a swing-and-miss guy, weak contact on the ground is a good combination.

The Yanks reportedly offered Soto $760 million over 16 years, but Soto took the Mets' deal of 15 years and $765 million, which could reach over $800 million when it's all said and done.

The Yankees still have other holes to fill, most notably at the infield corners and in left, but they have been linked to Nolan Arenado, Christian Walker and Teoscar Hernandez.

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New York Yankees fans are still reeling over Juan Soto's decision to sign with the New York Mets, and while money talks, one report has perhaps an additional reason why he wanted Queens over the Bronx. 

It was expected that Mets owner Steve Cohen would do anything possible to get Soto to wear blue and orange next season, and it wasn't just about the money, as the New York Post reported. 

According to The Post's Jon Heyman, Cohen didn't think twice when it came to giving a suite to Soto's family to help sweeten the $765 million deal he agreed to. 

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Heyman adds the Yankees, though, "wouldn't budge on the suite," noting the team felt they couldn't do so when Aaron Judge and Derek Jeter – the past two Yankees captains – paid for their family's suite. There would've been a discount, but not a freebie like Cohen offered. 

Of course, the main piece of this was Soto getting a historic contract that smashed Shohei Ohtani's $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

There are no deferments, so he's scheduled to receive $51 million per season. He gets a $75 million signing bonus, whereas the Yankees didn't have one, and there are escalators in the contract that could take the deal to $805 million. 

YANKEES GM BRIAN CASHMAN DEFENDS PURSUIT OF JUAN SOTO AFTER LOSING TO METS: ‘ABOVE AND BEYOND OUR COMFORT’

Soto also has a fifth-year opt-out clause, when he will be 30 years old. 

The Yankees' deal was comparable, though, as they reportedly offered $760 million over 16 years, which GM Brian Cashman admitted was "above and beyond our comfort level" when speaking to reporters at the MLB Winter Meetings on Monday. 

And even Cohen understood his best offer might not have beaten the Yankees, considering Soto already had a year with the team and a World Series appearance to boot. 

"I was being logical," Cohen told The Post about his negotiations with Soto and super agent Scott Boras. "When you have [Aaron] Judge, it’s tough to beat that. Juan was great. But what they had… I didn’t know how to solve that." 

But Cohen, GM David Stearns and the rest of the organization found a way, ultimately checking the boxes Soto wanted for his long-term future in MLB. 

Meanwhile, the Yankees are pivoting to Plan B, which appears to be going after top names in the starting pitching market, including Max Fried and Corbin Burnes. 

How the Yankees respond to life without Soto remains to be seen, but the fallout from going crosstown still weighs heavy on the minds of fans.

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Juan Soto isn't leaving New York, but he isn't a Yankee either, as reports say the 26-year-old slugger is heading to the Mets on the biggest contract in professional sports history. 

Soto agreed to a 15-year, $765 million deal that smashes Shohei Ohtani's $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers this past offseason. 

With no deferrals like Ohtani's, Soto is set to make $51 million per year, and it could move to $55 million per season depending on what happens with his opt-out in five years.

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But while all is right in Queens after Steve Cohen outbid the Yankees in historic fashion, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was asked about his and owner Hal Steinbrenner’s pursuit of Soto, which was a very competitive offer. 

The Yankees reportedly offered Soto $760 million over 16 years with no deferments, just like the Mets. And Cashman said at the MLB Winter Meetings on Monday that it was "above and beyond our comfort level" to do so, per MLB.com. 

WHAT YANKEES REPORTEDLY OFFERED JUAN SOTO BEFORE HE SIGNED WITH METS

"It’s not a deal we regret," Cashman said, adding his understanding that Soto could’ve always been a one-and-done player after trading for him last offseason. "He impacted us in a heavy way. I’m just sorry we fell short in the World Series."

"There's a lot of different ways to figure this out," Cashman said about adding talent not named Soto to reach the World Series again in 2025.

Now, the question is what the Yankees have in store for their "Plan B," or life without Soto.

MLB.com reported the Yankees were "hosting virtual calls" with top free-agent starters Max Fried and Corbin Burnes. Starting pitching is always something World Series contenders look to upgrade, a prime example being the Dodgers already adding Cy Young winner Blake Snell.

Even before news of Soto’s choice, the Yankees were expected to be involved in infield upgrades, especially at first base, while another outfielder was also in the cards.

Among the options for both infield and outfielder are Teoscar Hernandez, Cody Bellinger, Anthony Santander, Alex Bregman and former Met Pete Alonso.

Cashman & Co. will need to move on quickly so they don’t miss out on the other top talent, but the franchise and its fan base never wanted to think about a world where Soto wasn’t a part of the 2025 roster and beyond.

He had a career year in his lone season in the Bronx, hitting a career-high 41 homers with 109 RBI and a .288 average and .419 on-base percentage in front of AL MVP Aaron Judge in the lineup.

Soto’s efforts, which led to a plethora of "Re-sign Soto!" chants from fans during the 2024 season, played a large part in the team’s first World Series appearance since 2009. They weren’t able to beat the Dodgers, but it was expected the Yankees would do everything in their power to bring him back because of how lethal the combination of Soto and Judge were in the lineup.

The Yankees tried, but Soto will explain why he chose their crosstown rival instead.

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The New York Yankees swung for the fences but came up short in the sweepstakes for prized MLB free agent Juan Soto.

Soto agreed to a 15-year, $765 million deal with the New York Mets, according to multiple reports. The 26-year-old phenom will go from the Bronx to Queens in one of the biggest and shrewdest moves the Mets have made in several years.

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It apparently was not for lack of trying.

The Yankees offered Soto $760 million over 16 years, according to multiple reports. The deal would have lowered his average annual value if he decided to stick around in pinstripes.

Soto ultimately turned down the Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays to sign the richest contract in professional sports, the New York Post reported.

The MLB world also weighed in on the Yankees apparently missing out on the star player.

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The Yankees acquired Soto in a blockbuster trade with the San Diego Padres last winter for Jhony Brito, Kyle Higashioka, Michael King, Drew Thorpe and Randy Vasquez. He was paired with Aaron Judge on a star-studded roster that also featured Giancarlo Stanton.

He hit .288 with a .989 OPS with a career-high 41 home runs. He led the American League with 128 runs scored and was an All-Star for the fourth time in his young career.

New York fell just short in its World Series hopes – losing in five games to the Dodgers.

With the Mets, he will join a lineup that features another perennial MVP candidate, Francisco Lindor.

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Juan Soto is staying in New York, but he won't be with the Yankees.

Instead, the New York Mets, long believed to be a frontrunner to land the 26-year-old superstar, have landed him on an MLB-record $765 million contract over 15 years, according to multiple reports. 

In fact, that astronomical number gives Soto the largest contract in professional sports history.

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Last offseason, it was Shohei Ohtani's $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers that broke those records.

While the Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays were in play as well, it was believed by many to be a bidding war between the Mets and New York Yankees – the team who traded for Soto before the 2024 MLB season, which he helped reach the World Series. 

WILL JUAN SOTO TOP SHOHEI OHTANI'S DEAL? IT MIGHT DEPEND ON THE MATH

The Yankees offered Soto $760 million over 16 years, according to the New York Post. It's unclear if there were deferments similar to Ohtani's contract in the Yankees' offer, but the Mets reportedly don't have any.

Mets owner Steve Cohen shelled out $51 million per season with no deferments over those 15 years, according to multiple reports. ESPN reported there were "escalators that can reach above $800 million. 

However, there is reportedly an opt-out clause for Soto after five years.

And so ends the free agency saga of one of the best players in the sport, as Soto brings his lethal hitting skills crosstown to a team that reached the NLCS in Cinderella story fashion after finishing red-hot. 

Soto will fit in nicely with All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor as well as budding young talent, including Mark Vientos and Francisco Alvarez, making the Mets a World Series contender now and in the future. 

Soto had the best year of his career in 2024 during his one and only season with the Yankees. The four-time All-Star hit .288 with 41 home runs while having 129 walks, second only former teammate and 2024 AL MVP Aaron Judge.

During the Yankees' run to the World Series, his performances were crucial in the ALDS and ALCS, which was highlighted by his game-sealing, go-ahead extra-inning home run against the Cleveland Guardians. 

Soto hit .327 with a .469 on-base percentage with four homers in the postseason, and the Mets are hoping to give him another October where he can do the same. 

As the Mets celebrate landing the generational talent, those teams hoping it would've been them he chose will start searching elsewhere to bolster rosters for the 2025 campaign. 

Those aforementioned teams should move on to top talent including Max Fried, Corbin Burnes, Alex Bregman and many more on the free agent list. 

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Juan Soto’s free agency has driven national headlines this MLB offseason, and considering both New York teams are in the thick of negotiations, the "Saturday Night Live" crew had some fun with it. 

A dig thrown the way of the New York Mets came as a result. 

Dana Carvey was once again in his role as "Church Lady," who had a "Church Chat" with Soto, played by Marcello Hernandez. 

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Playing Soto, Hernandez wore a question mark on his white T-shirt while also sporting a Celsius hat, an ode to the teased announcement the 26-year-old superstar had last month as baseball fans were clamoring for his free agent decision. 

During their conversation, the New York Yankees were the team that "Soto" hoped would "make me the best offer."

However, Church Lady’s next comment ultimately led to a jab at the Mets. 

2025 MLB FREE-AGENT SIGNING TRACKER, TRADES: ORIOLES SIGN TYLER O'NEILL, GARY SÁNCHEZ

"Well, as a Christian, I have to ask you: Why not spend your time and money helping the needy and less fortunate?" Church Lady asked. 

"You’re right," the fake Soto replied. "Maybe, I’ll sign with the Mets."

With Soto reportedly getting offers with $700 million on the table, Church Lady said to the fake Soto that "money is the root of all evil."

"Well, if that’s true, then I’m going to become the most evil baseball player in the world," the fake Soto said, which led to raucous laughter from the crowd. 

As of Saturday night, the New York Post reports both the Yankees and Mets upping their offers to Soto into the "$710-730 million range," which would top what the Los Angeles Dodgers gave Shohei Ohtani this past offseason. 

Ohtani’s record contract was worth $700 million with $680 million in deferrals, changing the entire landscape of how MLB stars could be signed moving forward.

But it isn’t just the Yankees and Mets interested in Soto for next season and beyond. 

The Dodgers, who already made a splash after their World Series victory over the Yankees by adding Blake Snell to the starting rotation, are reportedly interested. The Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays, divisional foes of the Yankees, remain in the mix as well.

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Arguably the most coveted free agent in MLB history has signed a deal… but not the one we're all waiting for.

Juan Soto is a free agent, and at just the age of 26, there is speculation that he could be signing a record-breaking contract.

But before that, Soto announced on Tuesday that he has inked a partnership with the energy drink company, CELSIUS Live Fit.

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The announcement came on Soto's Instagram account with a video that featured him stepping in front of multiple microphones.

Soto captioned the video, "The announcement you’ve been waiting for."

"This wasn't an easy decision, but after meeting with the team, it's become clear what I want to be," Soto said in the video. "With that said…"

Soto then puts on a CELSIUS hat and finishes, "Team CELSIUS," before cracking open a beverage and taking a sip.

Then, he put on his trolling cap.

AARON JUDGE DOESN'T CARE IF JUAN SOTO GETS BIGGER CONTRACT FROM YANKEES: 'IT AIN'T MY MONEY'

"What? You were expecting a different announcement?" he joked.

The video surely got the fans talking.

"I will drink nothing but Celsius for the rest of my life if that’s what It takes for you to play in The Bronx the next decade," one Yankee fan commented on the post.

"Stop playing [with] us," added another.

Wrote one more, "the way my heart stopped when i read the caption."

One user, though, wasn't as amused, commenting, "Go to the Mets."

Even some of his 2024 Yankees teammates, who could soon be former teammates, couldn't help but laugh – both Anthony Rizzo and Jasson Dominguez commented several laughing emojis.

As for Soto, the deal is a no-brainer.

"I’m thrilled to join Team CELSIUS, a brand that aligns with my values and has a premium product that continues to support my personal performance and wellness," Soto, the first MLB athlete to sign with the brand, said in a statement. 

"Together, we can motivate and inspire individuals to push their limits and LIVE FIT. I can’t wait to share my journey with fans and show them how CELSIUS can help them achieve their goals."

Five teams have reportedly made offers to Soto: the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Red Sox and Blue Jays. The speculation is he wants to have a deal at around the time the Winter Meetings take place from Dec. 9-12.

Soto spent the 2024 season with the Bronx Bombers after they traded for him around this time last year – he finished in third in the AL MVP voting, as fellow outfield mate Aaron Judge took him his second award. The Yanks lost to their fellow Soto suitor in the Dodgers, though, in the Fall Classic.

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Let the bidding war for Juan Soto begin. 

Five teams have offers on the table for the superstar outfielder, according to multiple reports.

Those five teams are the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays.

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Those contracts were made late last week, according to the report. The next step in the process will be negotiations between the teams and Soto’s agent, Scott Boras. 

Soto, 26, is reportedly believed to be seeking a 15-year contract that is worth more than Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million deal. Ohtani’s deal is 10 years, and he deferred the majority of his contract, whereas Soto apparently is not interested in deferring money. 

The four-time All Star is coming off the best season of his already remarkable career, batting .288 while slugging a career-high 41 home runs, finishing third in AL MVP voting while batting in front of the MVP in Aaron Judge. 

During the Yankees' run to the World Series, Soto was even better, hitting .327 while having an on base percentage of .469 while hitting four home runs. 

The Blue Jays tried to trade for Soto last offseason but could not get a deal done with the San Diego Padres. The Blue Jays also tried to sign Ohtani but fell short in their pursuit of adding a superstar.

AARON JUDGE DOESN'T CARE IF JUAN SOTO GETS BIGGER CONTRACT FROM YANKEES: 'IT AIN'T MY MONEY'

Some are questioning whether the Dodgers can afford to sign Soto after handing out over $1 billion dollars of total money in contracts last offseason, but with Ohtani deferring a lot of his contract, they have enough money to at least make an offer.

The Red Sox met with Soto for three hours in California in their hopes of luring the five-time Silver Slugger away from their bitter rival, according to MLB.com.

The Mets have the richest owner in the sport in Steve Cohen and may need every penny they can muster to steer Soto away from the Bronx and over to Queens, where he and star shortstop Francisco Lindor would form a dynamic duo atop the lineup. 

Soto met with the Yankees last Monday, when the team sent owner Hal Steinbrenner, team president Randy Levine, general manager Brian Cashman, special assistant to the general manager Omar Minaya and manager Aaron Boone to California, according to NJ.com.

Soto posted a video on Instagram on Tuesday with the caption "The announcement you’ve been waiting for (eyes emoji)," teasing fans about his free agency, but instead announced a brand deal with Celsius.

"What, you were expecting a different announcement?" Soto said with a smile at the end of the video. 

Soto is expected to sign with a team during MLB’s winter meetings, which take place Dec. 9-12.

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The Juan Soto sweepstakes is the latest free agency battle the New York Yankees are trying to win, and owner Hal Steinbrenner discussed how his meeting with the left-handed slugger and his super agent, Scott Boras, went. 

Or at least what he was allowed to say about the meeting. 

"A very honest, back-and-forth dialogue" took place, lasting a "couple hours," according to the New York Post. 

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It's not that Soto truly needs to be sold on playing for the Yankees. He spent the entire 2024 season with them and ended up in the World Series, in large part due to his success in the Bronx. 

But Steinbrenner did ask, without divulging details, what the Yankees' player development system looks like as it plays a large role in how teams perform now and into the future. Soto is looking for a long-term home and wants to be sure his next team is competitive. 

Steinbrenner was asked multiple times what he believes Soto's wishes are, and the Yankees owner responded with "No idea." 

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"We'll be in the mix," Steinbrenner added.  "All I know is he's earned this, and he's going to go through the process."

Yankees fans await Soto's free agency decision with bated breath, hoping their 2024 All-Star will be crushing homers for their team for a decade or more to come. 

But there are contenders elsewhere, including the New York Mets, who have MLB's most wealthy owner, Steve Cohen. The Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and the World Series-winning Los Angeles Dodgers are also potential suitors. 

The talent Soto possesses at 26 years old is more than enough for many to believe he will receive the biggest contract in the sport's history. 

Yankees fans have implored the franchise to spend whatever it takes to keep Soto at Yankee Stadium. And Steinbrenner hears the pleas and chants inside the stadium. 

"I've got ears," he said. "I know what's expected of me. It's been a priority. Wouldn't have gone out to the West Coast if it wasn't.

"We listen to our fans. Our fans really enjoyed having him in New York. He's definitely a significant part of why we got to the World Series."

Soto slashed .285/.421/.532 with 201 homers over his first seven years in the league. 

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