The Yankees are “proud” of their efforts to keep Soto, but have no regrets about the trade

DALLAS – On Sunday morning, sometime between 9:30 and 10 a.m., New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman submitted the organization’s final contract offer for Juan Soto. It would have been by far the richest deal in the history of North American professional sports.

He soon realized it wasn’t enough. That night, Scott Boras, Soto’s agent, called to inform him that his client had agreed to a contract with the New York Mets.

Cashman then joined a conference call with Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner and president Randy Levine to break the news that Soto had decided to reject the Yankees’ 16-year, $760 million offer for a slightly more expensive deal in Queens .

“Hal Steinbrenner really tried to find a way to keep Juan Soto, and I’m certainly proud of his efforts,” Cashman said Monday. “Definitely went above and beyond what I expected.”

Cashman spoke to reporters Monday at the Hilton Anatole, where this year’s winter meetings were held. A few minutes later, across the hotel, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns declined to talk about Soto because the deal wasn’t yet official.

The Mets and Soto agreed to a 15-year, $765 million contract on Sunday with no deferrals and escalators that could increase the total to $805 million, sources told ESPN. It will surpass the record $700 million contract signed by Shohei Ohtani just a year ago – both in total value and average annual value. The Yankees’ offer, which also included no deferrals, would have done the same.

“I would just say that Hal has done his best to find a way to keep Juan Soto in pinstripes and continue to keep him as part of our mix as we move forward and take advantage of our opportunity,” Cashman said. “But there are a lot of different ways to figure this thing out, and so we just have to figure it out in a different way.”

The 26-year-old Soto’s decision ended a month-plus saga of recruiting meetings, various stages of offers and endless rumors. In the end, the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers made offers, but Soto’s choice fell on the Yankees and Mets. Cashman explained that the Yankees made their final offer blind without knowing what others were offering, giving them no chance to compete with the Mets. He said he didn’t know if Soto would have chosen the Yankees if they had accepted their crosstown rivals’ offer.

“I would rather him not play in the American League East,” Cashman said when asked if Soto’s move to the Mets made the loss even more painful. “I think, you know, pick your poison. Ultimately, the Mets have a great player. Congratulations to her.”

Soto’s decision came the day after the one-year anniversary of the Yankees acquiring Soto and outfielder Trent Grisham from the San Diego Padres for five players, including right-hander Michael King, knowing that Soto could leave after just one season in the Bronx. Soto hit a career-high 41 home runs and finished third in American League MVP voting as the Yankees’ right fielder before starring in October as the Yankees fell three wins short of a World Series title – one Platform year that drew even more attention was a heated bidding war between some of the sport’s richest franchises.

“This is not a deal we regret,” Cashman said of the trade last winter. “He influenced us a lot. I’m just sorry we fell short in the World Series. But he, along with others of course, played a big part in us getting where we got and becoming American League champions in 2024.”

Without Soto, Cashman said Aaron Judge will likely move back to right field, giving Jason Dominguez, the organization’s top prospect, the opportunity to start in center field. With the money previously allocated to Soto, the Yankees can swing in multiple directions.

The Yankees have met with both Corbin Burnes and Max Fried, the top two starters on the free agent market with major league experience. They have expressed interest in trading for Chicago White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet and Chicago Cubs first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger. Outfielders Anthony Santander and Teoscar Hernandez are potential free agent targets. As did third baseman Alex Bregman.

The Yankees had also met with left-hander Blake Snell and shortstop Willy Adames before both players signed with other clubs while waiting for Soto. They will be aggressive.

“It’s not easy to find comfortable matches in free agency,” Cashman said. “Usually you have to get out of your comfort zone, but at the same time we’re not going to be drunk sailors. We will do our best to try to improve the team based on our evaluations based on our abilities, because the Steinbrenner family’s efforts are usually strong and hopefully we will come across some things that can benefit us and which will delight our fans in the future.”