HOUSTON — A year after Juan Soto made waves in New York as a Yankee, he returned as a Met, signing the most lucrative contract in baseball history, a staggering deal worth 15 times longer than his previous tenure.

This transition underscores the dramatic shift in the landscape of Major League Baseball, and at the heart of it all is Mets owner Steve Cohen.

Cohen's determination to secure Soto should not have come as a shock to observers who were aware of his track record for going all-in on high-profile acquisitions.

However, even he faced moments of doubt throughout the prolonged bidding process. Twice, he thought his chances were dashed.

The first instance occurred during the initial round of offers when the Mets presented a robust bid of approximately $492 million—equating to a remarkable $41 million per year over 12 years.

This offer was backed by extensive Mets research, taking into account the burgeoning contracts in the league.

For context, fellow superstar Shohei Ohtani’s deferred deal was worth around $465 million, making the Mets' proposal appear competitive.

To Cohen's surprise, Soto's agent, Scott Boras, informed him that the Mets' offer fell short of expectations.

The news momentarily left Cohen disheartened. However, after a day of introspection, he resolved to enhance his offer.

Understanding the stakes required for this franchise-altering decision, Cohen returned to the negotiation table with a renewed strategy, managing to keep the Mets in contention alongside legendary franchises like the Red Sox, Dodgers, and Yankees.

This thrilling pursuit not only highlights the Mets' aggressive approach under Cohen's ownership but also illustrates the changing dynamics of free agency in baseball, where large market teams are willing to go to unprecedented lengths to secure superstar talent.

Soto's signing could potentially redefine the Mets' future and reshape the competitive landscape of the league for years to come.

Expectations are soaring as fans and analysts alike eagerly anticipate the impact of this mammoth acquisition on the Mets’ season strategy, player dynamics, and overall team success.