When Juan Soto inked a jaw-dropping, record-shattering $765 million contract with the Mets this past offseason, it sent shockwaves through the baseball world. While it wasn’t just the size of the deal that turned heads, it was the message. The message of a new economic turnaround for the league.

But behind the historic numbers and headline-grabbing announcement was a path filled with tension and high-stakes decisions. And at the center of it all was a pivotal choice Soto made. One that nearly torpedoed the entire negotiation process. His decision, completed by his agent Scott Boras, ultimately forged a deal unlike any the sport had ever seen.

So, what went on behind the scenes?

“When the Nationals offered Juan a record $440 million, which at the time was the largest contract in sports. I said to Juan, What are your goals? And he goes, I want to win,” Boras revealed during an interview with Graham Bensinger.

What does that mean?

While the Nationals were eager to retain Juan Soto with a record-breaking offer, there was no guarantee the team would remain competitive. Yes, Soto had helped power the Nationals to a World Series title in 2019. But with ownership uncertainty looming, the team’s priority seemed more aligned with using Soto for marketing and branding purposes than building a contender.

Here comes the brilliance of Boras. He made Soto acknowledge that his goal is to win, and he is here to win consistently. Hence, with the Nationals preparing to sell the team, he realized that staying in Washington no longer aligned with his ambitions. And so began Juan Soto’s ascent toward something greater.

The next journey was, however, short-lived. The Nationals traded Soto to the Padres and eventually to the Yankees. But that created the foundation on which Soto went for a hardball approach with the Mets’ owner, Steve Cohen.

Well, the negotiations between Boras and Cohen were another juncture in the whole journey.

It was a challenge Boras willingly embraced. The challenge is to get Cohen to open the vault for a generational talent. Despite intense and, at times, stressful negotiations, both sides ultimately got what they wanted. Yes, the path was ultimately cleared for Soto to land a historic 15-year deal and become the highest-paid athlete in sports history.

On the other hand, Cohen added a true franchise cornerstone to his Mets roster, aiming to end decades of frustration and bring multiple World Series titles back to Queens. Something the franchise hasn’t achieved since 1986.

Soto is steadily proving his worth 

You know that Juan Soto’s journey with the Mets didn’t start with fireworks. Instead, it began with a slow, quiet stretch that had some wondering if the star slugger needed time to adjust to the baggage. But Soto has now started to look like the offensive force Mets fans were promised. And he’s bringing surprising improvements on defense, too.

Over the past several series, Soto has turned a corner (8 HRs & 20 RBIs). You can now notice that Soto’s line drives are falling, the power is emerging, and the confidence is visible in every at-bat. Opposing pitchers are once again pitching around him, knowing well the damage he can do when they miss. That, too, without the protection of Aaron Judge!

Recall Soto’s homer against the Cubs. On May 9, 2025, Juan Soto launched a 434-foot solo home run off Jameson Taillon in the bottom of the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs. A towering blast that offered a glimpse of what’s to come from Soto in the weeks ahead.

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Hence, Soto’s resurgence is more than a personal win. It’s becoming a turning point for the Mets’ season. His presence in the lineup provides protection and consistency. If his current trajectory holds, Soto will be remembered as Cohen’s best investment to date.