"My goal was to change how the Mets were viewed" - Steve Cohen speaks on the impact Juan Soto brings to the organization

The chase for Juan Soto is over after he and the New York Mets came to an agreement on a monster contract. The four-time All-Star agreed to a 15-year, $765 million deal earlier this week.

Soto now holds the largest contract in league history. Shohei Ohtani broke that record last offseason with his 10-year $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers but now sits in second place.

That is quite the payday, but owner Steve Cohen believes the value is fair. During Soto's introductory press conference, he spoke on what the slugger brings to this organization and how he sees his team moving forward.

"It's obviously a huge move. I think it just puts an accent on what we're trying to do. I mean, I said it, it accelerates our goal of winning championships," said Cohen.

There is no doubt that the addition of Soto immediately makes this club better. He is a player they can build around and should slide in nicely alongside four-time All-Star Francisco Lindor at the top of the lineup.

"My goal was to change how the Mets were viewed. And I think we're really on the path of changing that and we're never going to stop. We're always in a constant state of improvement, but that's my goal. My goal is that the Mets are going to be a premiere, one of the elite teams in Major League Baseball" said Cohen.

Juan Soto to keep No. 22 with the Mets

New York Mets Slugger - Juan Soto Photo via IMAGN

For those wondering, Juan Soto will be keeping his No. 22 with the Mets. This number was previously worn by Brett Baty, but it looks like the youngster was more than okay with giving up his number.

There is no telling if Soto offered Baty any money or a gift for his number. Last offseason, Shohei Ohtani gifted Joe Kelly's wife a brand new Porsche for her involvement in the signing and offering her husband's jersey number.

As you could have guessed, Soto's newest jersey has now hit the market. Fans can represent their newest star by ordering the club's home white which is available for purchase on MLB Shop.

Given how quickly Ohtani's Dodger jersey sold last year, expect these to go flying off the shelves. The league could see a new leader regarding jersey sales by the end of next season.