Juan Soto liked what he saw from across town.
Soto revealed the reasons why he signed a historic 15-year, $765 million pact with the Mets during his introductory press conference at Citi Field on Thursday.
“The Mets is a great organization and what they have done in the past couple — showing the ability to grow a team, grow a dynasty — is one of the the most important things,” Soto said. “What you were seeing from the other side was unbelievable. The future that this team has a lot to do with my decision.”
Juan Soto poses with Citi Field in the background after his Mets introduction on Dec. 12, 2024.
Juan Soto signing his Mets contract on Dec. 12, 2024.
Mets owner Steven Cohen, left, shakes hands with Juan Soto, center, as sports agent Scott Boras, right and Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, look on.
Soto also noted how the Mets stressed how those around Soto would be treated.
“They show me a lot of love from the standpoint of what they have for me and how they are going to try and make it comfortable to me,” Soto said. “That’s one of the things that impress me more, how they are going to treat the people around me and my family and stuff like that.
“That’s one of the things I was looking for. You are trying to be comfortable with where you’re at and have a good time. The money standpoint is going to be there, but really impressed what they can do with my family and stuff like that.”
The 26-year-old slugger’s decision will have ripples across the sport for years to come, but especially within Queens and The Bronx.
Newest Met Juan Soto putting on a Mets jersey next to his agent Scott Boras.
The Yankees and Mets battled head-to-head, with the Red Sox, Blue Jays and Dodgers also in the mix for the outfielder’s services for the next decade and a half.
The Mets ultimately topped the Yankees’ offer with their 15-year pact that can be worth up to $805 million with escalators and even more with incentives.
They also offered a $75 million signing bonus.
Soto can opt out after five seasons but the Mets will have to add $4 million to each of the remaining 10 years to keep him in Flushing for the remainder of the deal.
Juan Soto left The Bronx for Flushing.
Steve Cohen at Mets press conference for Juan Soto.
The Yankees’ offer featured $760 million over 16 years, while they offered a $60 million signing bonus.
The Mets’ offer thus had a higher total, both before and after potential escalators and incentives, a greater signing bonus and a larger annual average value.
“Juan’s going to be very happy with the Mets,” Mets owner Steve Cohen told The Post.
Cohen also sweetened the deal by throwing in a suite for all home games, a perk the Yankees would not offer since it would go against precedent.
Mets’ Juan Soto speaks during a baseball news conference.
Citi Field is Juan Soto’s new home.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman does not believe the suite affected Soto’s decision.
Soto also was not pleased during his tenure with an overzealous security guard who restricted his inner circle from certain locations, although The Post reported the Yankees apologized and Soto forgave them.
“I don’t think a suite’s a possession arrow one way or the other,” Cashman said Wednesday. “(Not) when you’re making that kind of money.”
Soto will make his Citi Field debut April 4, 2025 against the Blue Jays, while his team debut will happen — just like his Yankees one — in Houston in the team’s season-opening game on March 27.
