Last fall, Juan Soto signed the biggest contract in sports history. The 15-year 765,000-dollar contract with the Mets came after a relatively short free agency. The Mets were not the only team to pursue him; the Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox, and Blue Jays also pursued him. Why did Soto choose the Mets? What value did he see in their organization that he did not in other super teams like the Dodgers and Yankees? The Mets struck all the right chords to get the young superstar to move to their crosstown rival. Soto saw value in them that he did not see in other teams. He told the press that the Mets General Manager, Cohen, said to him that he wants to continue putting winning teams together. Soto believes Cohen when he said that he will continue to spend lavishly in order to have a winning team every season. Since taking over in 2021 the Mets have been extremely successful. Soto said that the Yankees compete but can’t get everything done so he is rendering his services elsewhere. He believes the Mets also have a good farm system, whereas the Yankees have an aging team that will need to rebuild soon.
With all of these things put together, why did Soto choose the Mets. He saw value in them that he did not see in any other team. Cohen definitely helped the process in reassuring Soto that he wants to win. I think this is interesting because on of the best sales tactics that nobody talks about is to have value. No one needed to tell Soto that the Mets have all the pieces they do. He saw value in their organization and decided that he would sign a record-breaking contract with them.
RMcIlwain
Hello! Thank you for your post! I think the value that is seen is immensely important and what value you also bring to the table!
Jack, this is a really sharp take on Soto’s decision, and I like how you tied it into the concept of value in sales. You’re absolutely right—sometimes the most effective sales tactic is simply being valuable rather than trying to convince someone that you are. Soto didn’t need a hard sell; the Mets’ vision, leadership, and future potential sold themselves. It’s a great reminder that in both sports and sales, people are drawn to confidence, direction, and long-term value.
Hi Jack,
Great post! When looking at why superstar athletes choose teams it is always interesting and some people think they are just going wherever they will get paid the most. In this example it seems the mets discovered Sotos PAIN and were able to give him what he is looking for.