Juan Soto's decision to become an MLB free agent was so anticipated that a cold opening on “Saturday Night Live” included the Mets' customary bargain.
With the Yankees and Mets pursuing the superstar outfielder with offers exceeding $700 million, and the sports world keeping an eye on where the 26-year-old will sign, “SNL” revealed the church during Saturday's cold open. Soto was brought up in a chat skit. , Dana Carvey reprized her role as a churchwoman.
Soto, played by Marcello Hernandez, joined the Church Lady as a guest wearing a white jersey with a question mark and a Celsius hat after teasing the “announcement” in a commercial last month featuring a mock press conference. Hats off to him for partnering with an energy drink brand.
In the skit, the Virgin tells Soto, “Money is the root of all evil,'' and Soto replies, “Well, if that were true, I'd be the most evil baseball player in the world.''
Fake Soto will then be asked to tell the world which team he will sign with.
“I don't know. Right now, I'm just hoping the Yankees give me the best offer,” he says.
Comte then set his sights on the Mets.
“As Christians, I want to ask you, why don't you spend your time and money helping the poor and disadvantaged?” a church woman asks.
“You're right. Maybe I'll sign with the Mets,” Soto replied.
The Post's Jon Heyman reported Saturday evening that the Yankees and Mets each upped their offers for Soto to the range of $710 million to $730 million. That's more than Shohei Ohtani's $700 million contract with the Dodgers last offseason, but that deal includes a $680 million deferral.
The Dodgers, Red Sox and Blue Jays are other candidates for Soto's services.
