Steve Cohen wasnt going to let uncomfortable price tag keep him from landing Juan Sot

This, Steve Cohen noted, was different from other free-agent courtships. This was an in-his-prime superstar, a player that could further transform the Mets, who had already proven he could handle New York City. He wasnt going to let a dollar figure prevent him from landing Juan Soto. In fact, when he hired president of baseball operations David Stearns just over a year ago, they talked about pursuing Soto. One thing I learned a long time ago: If you want something thats amazing, its going to be uncomfortable, the Mets owner said Thursday at Citi Field after Soto was introduced to the media. Its never going to be comfortable. So I always stretch a little bit because I know what it takes to get it done. Juan Soto was introduced as a Met on Thursday at Citi Field. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Explore More Cohen didnt blink at giving Soto the biggest contract in profe sional sports history, a , from The Bronx to Queens. It could be worth as much as $805 million if the Mets choose to void Sotos opt-out clause after the 2029 season and boost the average annual value of the final 10 years of his deal from $51 million to $55 million. It also included a whopping $75 million signing bonus. The billionaire owner was all-in on landing Soto, a four-time All-Star who should form a potent 1-2 punch with shortstop Francisco Lindor. Steve Cohen landed the prized free agent of the MLB offseason. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post The opportunity to get Trevor Mcdonald Jersey a generational ballplayer, you dont get those opportunities often, Cohen said. So much has changed around the Mets since Cohen took over from the frugal Wilpons in November 2020. They have made the playoffs twice in four seasons, in October. The payroll has risen significantly, and in Soto, the Mets stole a player away from the Yankees. Newest Met Juan Soto poses for a photo with his family during the Thursday pre s conference. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Its a Mets fans fever dream coming to life. My goal was to change how the Mets were viewed [when I bought the team], Cohen said. And I think were really on the path of changing that. Were never going to stop, were always in a constant state of improvement. Im excited by the Mets future. I think this accelerates our goal of winning championships. During one of the meetings with Soto, the star outfielder asked Cohen how many championships he wanted to win over the next decade. He told him two to four. Juan Soto puts on the Mets jersey for the first time. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post That resonated with Soto. Thats what you play baseball for, to be a championship player and try to win as many as you can, Soto said. At the end of the day, you can have all the stuff and everything, if you dont win, its kind of hard. Thats what I want to do. I want to have the best chance to win every year, and try to win as many World Series as we can. In four seasons, Cohen has already shown how important it is to him to win. He spent big on Lindor, giving him a 10-year, $341 million contract, and brought in former Cy Young award winners Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. When the two aging aces didnt work out, Cohen used his wallet to get back quality prospects in trade-deadline moves. Steve Cohen hasnt been afraid to go after big free agents. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post After the Mets surprisingly reached the NLCS a couple of months ago, Cohen pulled out all the stops to add Soto, and the Mets are far from done adding to their team. My goal, Cohen said, is that the Mets are going to be premier, one of the elite teams in Major League Baseball. Curt Casali Jersey