The Yankees and owner Hal Steinbrenner took a big swing at trying to retain Juan Soto, going to an uncomfortable place by offering what would’ve been the richest contract in sports history at 16 years, $760 million, including a $60 million signing bonus.
But they would not go where Mets owner Steve Cohen went at $765 million over 15 years — including a $75 million signing bonus — that could turn into $805 million if the club voids Soto’s opt-out after the fifth year.
And perhaps there are some within the Yankees organization that feel a weight off their shoulders, knowing they aren’t locked into such a massive financial commitment to one player and can now try to spread money around to improve a roster that, including Soto, fell to the Dodgers in the World Series.
“I would think there are a lot of people in their room who are like, ‘We dodged a bullet. I’m glad we didn’t do this,’” Post baseball columnist Joel Sherman said on the “Pinstripe Post” live show Sunday night after the 26-year-old Soto agreed to the deal with the Mets.
Now, with the MLB winter meetings underway in Dallas, the Yankees can pivot to Plan B.
Their quest to make up for Soto’s production has one fewer option as infielder Willy Adames agreed to a seven-year, $182 million contract with the Giants on Saturday.
Follow The Post’s coverage of Juan Soto’s historic megadeal with the Mets:
- Juan Soto signing with Mets on gargantuan $765 million contract as Yankees miss out
- Heyman: Steve Cohen wasn’t going to let anything stop his high-priced Juan Soto pursuit
- Juan Soto doused with beer in hot tub as he celebrates historic Mets deal
- Sherman: Hal Steinbrenner still can’t escape the ghost of his father after Yankees’ Juan Soto miss
One potential option is trying to swipe Pete Alonso from the Mets, as the Yankees have a void at first base after declining Anthony Rizzo’s option.
Third baseman Alex Bregman could be a fit, though there would be questions based on his role in the 2017 Astros championship team that was found to have cheated.
On the pitching side, the Yankees recently held virtual meetings with top starters Corbin Burnes and Max Fried.
Soto isn’t the first player the Mets signed away from the Yankees this offseason; on Friday, they agreed to a three-year, $38 million contract with right-hander Clay Holmes, whom they will attempt to convert to a starting pitcher.
