John Sterling joined Keith McPherson on Wednesday night, hitting the WFAN airwaves for the first time since calling the final out of the World Series.
The big news to discuss was the Mets signing Juan Soto to a record deal that could pay the former Yankees north of $800 million when it’s all said and done, but Sterling doesn’t buy the idea that Soto’s decision came down to money.
He believes the 26-year-old simply preferred the Mets.
“The one question I have is, why Juan Soto didn’t want to play for the Yankees?” Sterling said. “Obviously he didn’t.
“Please don’t talk about money. If the Yankees offered him $750 million and the Mets offered him $760, there’s no difference. You certainly would never see the difference. It’s so much money per year. The Yankees have the name, and they have a field that’s perfect for Soto. A short right field for home runs and a big left center field for singles and doubles, and also the best protector in the game in Aaron Judge.”
Soto had the best season of his career hitting in front of Judge, made it to the World Series, and was beloved by Yankee fans in his lone season in the Bronx. Still, he opted for Steve Cohen’s offer, and Sterling says the Yanks need to ask themselves why he didn’t want to stay.
“You tell me, why did he want to leave the Yanks? Obviously he didn’t want to stay,” Sterling said.
“There’s a reason he didn’t want to come to the Yankees, and it couldn’t be the suite. That’s just too mundane. How much is a suite when you’re making $750 million?”