Even while in California, Steve Cohen had home field advantage.
The Mets' owner personally hosted Soto at his Beverly Hills mansion during the course of their courtship, in stark contrast to other team presentations, The Post's Jon Heyman exclusively reported.
In the end, money speaks, especially for $765 million, but it definitely doesn't hurt that the team outperformed the competition when pitching in a less spectacular environment. did.
Cohen agreed to purchase the mansion in 2015 for $32 million. According to Forbes.
Over 12,000 feet, this luxurious mansion features nine bedrooms, a pool with a waterfall, plenty of fireplaces, multiple parking spots for over 30 cars, a sports court, two guesthouses, a movie theater, and a billiards room. , full room. There are also special benefits such as a bar.
Heyman said Cohen invited a group of about 15 people, including Soto and his agent Scott Boras, to a meeting and served them Latin food.
For the actual pitch, Cohen used a theater room.
Other teams are believed to have held meetings with the 26-year-old Soto at Boras' home.
Follow The Post's coverage of Juan Soto's historic blockbuster deal with the Mets.
Cohen also appears to have used some information for his own benefit.
During Soto's early years with the Yankees, he was “allegedly upset” by “overzealous” security guards who restricted a member of Soto's family and his chef/driver from certain areas.
A source close to Heyman said the Yankees apologized to Soto and the outfielder has forgiven him.
Cohen brought his wife Alex, father-in-law and Mets traveling secretary Edgar Suero to Mets meetings to explain the structure of the team and how to care for his family.
Now that Soto has chosen Flushing as his home for the next five or 15 years, there is an opt-out after five years that the Mets can avoid by increasing his contract to $55 million per season, but those logistics are difficult for Soto. It's going to be important. He begins life in Queens.
