Juan Sotos historic decision was more than a battle between the

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    It wasnt the Mets over the Yankees. It was the Mets over four other suitors, all of whom were willing to pay top dollar to land Juan Soto, the superstar outfielder and his high-powered agent, Scott Boras, insisted. Though the Yankees were viewed because Soto had just spent a season in The Bronx and helped them reach the World Series, the duo told a different story Thursday. Newest Met Juan Soto next to his agent Scott Boras, during a pre s conference. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post I feel like they did everything they had in their power to help me out, to bring me back, Soto said of the Yankees during his introductory pre s conference as a Met. But I had four other teams doing the same thing and trying to make me feel comfortable. At the end of the day, we looked at everything and we looked at what other teams wanted to do for the next 15 years, and I think we have the best chance to do it here. Soto emphasized that he enjoyed his season as a Yankee, and it wouldnt have made a difference had they beaten the Dodgers in the World Series instead of losing to them in five games. Explore More That Hunter Stratton Jersey didnt impact his decision. He made it sound like it was more of what the Mets did to make him feel comfortable rather than what the Yankees didnt. Neverthele s, Soto said since the season ended. Newest New York Met Juan Soto poses for a photo during a pre s conference. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post He clearly believes in billionaire owner Steve Cohens vision for the Mets and the family atmosphere that the team has created. Soto, 26, took notice of the relationships Cohen and his wife, Alex, have built with players and their families. Soto had a meeting at Cohens mansion in Beverly Hills, Calif., while the other teams met him at a hotel. Follow The Posts coverage of Juan Sotos historic megadeal with the Mets: Included in Sotos 15-year, $765 million contract , which was a perk the Yankees wouldnt include. I feel like that was really nice coming from him, Soto said of Cohen. It was one of the biggest things. Family is important to Soto. Boras joked that he calls the group the Supreme Court of Soto. It includes several uncles, his mom, dad, brother and sister, among others. They made the decision together. Mets owner Steve Cohen and his wife Alex, posing for a photo with Juan Soto, Alexs dad Ralph Garcia, and son Josh. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Soto had more than 30 members of his family at Citi Field on Thursday. There was a catered Dominican menu that included pernil, carne asada, maduros, rice and beans and churros in the Piazza Club for the festivities. They always talk about family, they always talk about sticking together, and thats one of the things that opened my eyes, Soto said, referring to the Mets. Thats when I started thinking about all the love they can give to me and my family. Thats one of the things that impre sed me more, how they are going to treat others around me and my family. Delivering insights on all things Amazins Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Unprompted, Boras said a report that he called the Yankees with an opportunity to match or beat Mets deal was inaccurate. It came down to Soto deciding on the Mets. The New York Yankees in this negotiation stepped up. They did, Boras said. They really, really made themselves known in this proce s. It was really about what internally [Soto and his family] felt was the best long term. When youre at a wedding, you dont talk about the bridesmaids, the agent added. Im not here to addre s why or why not. All I know is Ive been waiting a long time for Juan and the group to send me the signal of who I can close with and work out the final details, and he finally did. Barry Bonds Jersey