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

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.

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.