Juan Soto’s arrival as a Met, the highest-paid player ever, and with a contract 15 times longer, wasn’t a surprise to those around Steve Cohen — but it was to the owner himself.

Owner Steve Cohen asked Juan Soto one thing during his recruiting pitch to get him to sign with the New York Mets.

Soto didn't make his decision to join the Mets lightly as he gathered with his family to come to a conclusion. The Mets won out, largely because of Cohen's investment in the franchise and Soto's belief in the team's long-term future. They edged their crosstown rival New York Yankees who began the process as the No. 1 team in Soto's mind.