Juan Soto had plenty of people questioning his decision back in 2022. The Washington Nationals offered him a jaw-dropping 15-year,$440 million contract–one of the biggest in baseball history. Yet, he walked away. Critics called it reckless, even foolish. Fast-forward to 2025, and Soto is sitting on a $765 million deal with the New York Mets. So, was it really about the money?
Not exactly.
In a recent interview with Abriendo Sports, Soto revealed that his decision to leave Washington had little to do with finances. “If the Nationals had put together a competitive team, I would have signed the contract extension for less than what they offered me,”he said.
Soto’s decision was about winning, not dollars
That revelation flips the entire narrative on its head. At the time, many assumed Soto was holding out for more money. But in reality, he was looking for something else-a team that was serious about competing.
The Nationals’ offer was heavily backloaded, with an average annual value of $29.3 million, placing it below what many top stars were making. But even that wasn’t the main issue. Soto simply didn’t see the organization investing enough in building a championship contender.
Less than two years later, he put his money where his mouth is-signing with the Mets, a team that has made big, aggressive moves to win now.
The Mets move: A better fit than expected
If Soto had any doubts about leaving Washington (or turning down the Yankees in free agency), they didn’t last long. The transition to New York has been smoother than anyone expected.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza admitted he was surprised by how quickly Soto fit in. “I didn’t think [the adjustment] was going to be this quick, to be honest with you,” Mendoza said. “But he fit right in. As soon as the position players reported, within a couple of days, you could see him laughing, making jokes.”
It’s not just about personality, though. Soto has stepped into a leadership role, something the Mets desperately needed. Teammates look to him for advice, and his influence is already paying off in the clubhouse. Even Francisco Lindor-previously the face of the team-is happy to share leadership duties.
Soto’s impact goes beyond the Mets
Soto’s decision to turn down Washington’s deal might have seemed risky at the time, but it’s already reshaping how players approach contracts. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. recently admitted he rejected a contract extension from the Blue Jays because it didn’t measure up to Soto’s deal.
Soto wasn’t just betting on himself-he was setting a new standard. And with the Mets looking like legitimate contenders, it’s hard to argue with the results.
The Nationals may have seen his rejection as a mistake. But in hindsight, Soto’s decision wasn’t just about money-it was about playing for a team willing to do whatever it takes to win.
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