New York Mets owner Steve Cohen revealed Thursday that he did not expect superstar outfielder Juan Soto to sign with the Mets in free agency.

Talk to ESPN Buster Olney and Jeff PassanCohen said: “Usually I’m pretty good at reading signals. I totally missed this one. (Soto’s agent) Scott (Boras) called me and I realized, ‘Holy shit . It could happen.’ I didn’t expect it, I didn’t expect it to happen, I was blown away.”

Cohen won a bidding war that would have gone to the Mets and the New York Yankees, while Soto signed a record $765 million, 15-year contract with the National League.

Soto, 26, spent parts of his first five MLB seasons with the Washington Nationals, winning a World Series in 2019. The Nats then traded him to the San Diego Padres during the 2022 campaign when he became clear that they were not going there. to be able to conclude a long-term agreement.

After the 2023 season, the Padres traded Soto to the Yankees for a package that included pitcher Michael King, catcher Kyle Higashioka and three potential pitchers.

It was a risky deal for the Yankees since Soto was about to enter the final year of his contract, but it ended up paying dividends for both Soto and the Yankees.

In his lone season in the Bronx, Soto slashed .288/.419/.569 with 41 home runs, 109 RBIs and 128 runs scored. He was named an All-Star, won a Silver Slugger Award and finished third in American League MVP voting.

Soto also played a significant role in the Yankees reaching the World Series for the first time since 2009.

Soto’s success in pinstripes, coupled with the Yankees’ financial resources, suggested that the Bronx Bombers would be favored to keep him, but Cohen tapped into his considerable wealth to make the Mets major players as well.

Ultimately, Soto signed the highest contract in MLB history with the Mets, giving them one of the league’s best 1-2s in their lineup between him and shortstop Francisco Lindor .

Last season, the Mets exceeded expectations and were well ahead of schedule, as they reached the National League Championship Series where they fell to the eventual World Series champion Dodgers. Los Angeles.

With Soto now in the fold, it’s fair to wonder if the Mets might have the firepower to defeat the Dodgers, who are the clear favorites for the 2025 World Series.